Welcoming the new year

Goodbye 2008 and welcome 2009!

This the first post of the year and firstly I'd like to say something about last year, 2008,a good year for me and a year of mixed feelings around the world.

In 2008,

Natural disasters struck Mynmar and China, causing an tarrible loss of life and generating many stories of hope, bravery and perseverance.

The tragic earthquake in Sichuan hit China amidst preparations for the Olympics and Pro-Tibet protests

Malaysia's ruling party faced it's worst election loss, the effects of which are set to shake the political climate of that country to it's foundations.

Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the Opposition Pakatan rakyat

China hosted a memorable Olympics in Beijing, a mark of the nation's rise as global power.

The opening ceremony, which was hailed as a tremendous success

Power transitions in Russia and Pakistan.

Russia's Vladimir Putin handed over the presidency to his protege, Dmitry Medvedev (left)

Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari

America moved out of it's segregationist past and chose Barack Hussein Obama as their first African-American president.

Congratulations, Mr. President!

The global credit Tsunami (a term coined by Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of the U.S Federal Reserve) is holding the world's economy hostage.

The 2008 economic crisis is said to be the most devstating since the Great Depression of the 1930s

Though we start 2009 on a sombre note,

Gaza, through the eyes of an Israeli F-16 fighter-bomber

We do have things to look forward to this new year....

Brunei will celebrate it's 25th National Day, marking a quarter of a century of Independance

The new Obama Administration

So I say, welcome 2009, may mankind move forward productively and through the trials and I hope that through the trials and tribulations the world will still do what's best for the greater good. May Allah S.W.T bless all our the efforts and initiatives that we will undertake this year and may he bless us greater success and happiness.