Memori Saudi - Berhibur di Shopping Mall

Hiburan lain yang sangat ditunggu oleh wanita Arab ialah waktu membeli belah. Rabigh Mall akan penuh dengan wanita membeli belah apabila ada jualan murah atau diskaun. Begitu juga setiap hujung bulan. Mereka membeli sungguh! Penuh troli dengan barangan.
     Di bandar-bandar besar seperti Jeddah dan Riyadh, selepas waktu Isyak di hujung minggu, jalan raya akan jadi sesak. Keluarga arab keluar berhibur di shopping mall. Mereka meluangkan masa bersama keluarga di taman tema dan food court yang terdapat di kebanyakan shopping mall yang besar.
      Kalau kita hendak shopping dengan selesa lebih baik pergi sebelum Maghrib. Tidak perlu menunggu giliran panjang untuk membayar. Tetapi masa membeli belah agak terhad sebab semua premis perniagaan wajib ditutup semasa masuk waktu solat.
      Orang Arab suka pergi ke shopping mall selepas waktu Isyak. Aktiviti membeli, bermain di taman tema dan makan-makan tidak terganggu. Lagipun, pasar raya akan dibuka sehingga pukul 1 pagi.
     Kalau musim jualan murah atau diskaun, shopping mall bertambah sesak. “SALE” di Arab Saudi memang betul-betul sale. Potongan harga ada yang sampai 90 peratus. Potongan harga bukan untuk barang-barang penghabisan stok, tetapi setiap kali jualan murah memang barang semua baru-baru.
     Biasanya kalau ada jualan murah, wanita arab lebih suka serbu butik-butik pakaian dalam yang berjenama seperti La Senza atau Women Secret. Selain itu, butik aksesori dan beg tangan berjenama seperti Gucci dan Burberry juga menjadi tumpuan.
     “Bila duduk lama di sini, saya juga dah jadi macam wanita arab. Kami tunggu musim sale untuk shopping. Masa itu lah kita boleh beli beg tangan dan kasut berjenama yang harga asalnya beribu-ribu”, kata  Kak Mimi yang sudah tujuh tahun tinggal di Riyadh mengikut suaminya yang bekerja di King Saud University.
     Patutlah saya tengok satu almari Kak Mimi penuh dengan koleksi beg tangan dan satu almari lagi pula mempamerkan koleksi kasut berjenama kepunyaan suaminya.
     Saya pula, setiap kali pergi membeli belah, hanya beli barang-barang keperluan.  Rasa tidak sampai hati untuk berbelanja besar dan membuat berbagai koleksi luxury. Saya akan pakai setiap barang sampai lusuh atau rosak barulah beli yang lain.
     Apabila pergi melancong juga saya tidak beli banyak barang. Saya rasa yang saya sudah ada semuanya. Alhamdulillah, syukur.
     “Sesungguhnya jika kamu bersyukur, pasti Kami akan menambah (ni’mat) kepadamu, dan jika kamu mengingkari (ni’mat-Ku), maka sesungguhnya azab-Ku sangat pedih” (Ibrahim: 7)
     Setiap kali hendak shopping saya akan teringat lirik lagu Awaken nyanyain Maher zain.

"Awaken"

We were given so many prizes
We changed the desert into oasis
We built buildings of different lengths and sizes
And we felt so very satisfied
We bought and bought
We couldn't stop buying
We gave charity to the poor cuz
We couldn't stand their crying
We thought we paid our dues
But in fact to ourselves we're just lying

Ooh I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves
I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves

We were told what to buy and we bought
We went to London, Paris and Costa Del Sol
We made sure we were seen in the most exclusive shops
Yes we felt so very satisfied!

We felt our money gave us infinite power
We forgot to teach our children about history and honor
We didn't have any time to lose
When we were (were)
So busy feeling so satisfied

I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves
I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves

We became the visuals without a soul
Despite the heat
Our homes felt so empty and cold
To fill the emptiness
We bought and bought
Maybe all the fancy cars
And bling will make us feel satisfied

My dear brother and sister
It's time to change inside
Open your eyes
Don't throw away what's right aside
Before the day comes
When there's nowhere to run and hide
Now ask yourself cuz Allah's watching you

Is He satisfied?
Is Allah satisfied? [x3]

Ooh I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves
I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves (ourselves)