Telekung Tale

I was refolding a small pile of telekungs (prayer garments for women) this morning when Eli, our parttime maid, casually remarked whilst sweeping the floor:

"The cleaners are not allowed to use those telekungs that they have placed in the surau (on the ground floor) for public use. We have to bring our own."

Jolted by the sudden remark, I stopped folding and shot a look at her. "But why?" I sputtered, suddenly feeling rather cross.

"Sebab kami hanya pencuci dan jugak pendatang, jadi di pandang rendah dan di anggap tidak bersih. AJK surau arah pejabat pengurusan bagitau kami."

["Because we are only cleaners and not locals too. They looked down upon us and considered us unclean. The surau committee asked the management office to relay it to us."]

I was dumbfounded. It had never crossed my mind that anyone living in this condo would stoop so low to issue such a directive. What were they thinking?

At the Royal Lake Club, staff and members use all the telekungs and kain pelikat (men's sarong) provided by the Club for public use, freely.

In fact, my friends and I too had placed brand new telekungs in the ladies' prayer room for common use. An insignificant contribution from us, yet it had somehow made us feel 'useful'.   

Material wealth notwithstanding, we are equal in the eyes of Allah swt. I feel so ashamed for my fellow residents. I know a great majority of them are good, kind and considerate folks.

But now I also know there are rotten apples among them. "Ya Allah, sedarkanlah mereka ini daripada kesombongan mereka. Semulia-mulia manusia ialah mereka yang beriman, bukan mereka yang kaya raya."

Hati ini terasa amat malu sekali...