The Launching of Tanah Aina Coffee Table book

It was a lovely warm and balmy Sunday afternoon and I was at the Saloma Theatre Restaurant along Jalan Ampang and I have to admit I was stunned to see the set up... upon registration, we got to walk along a covered and very lush green pathway to the restaurant surrounded by all kinds of plants , pebbles and pictures of all of the different Tanah Aina Eco Resorts there were....

I was actually here for the launch of Tanah Aina Coffee Table Book and a hi-tea, but nothing in my mind could have prepared me for such a grand launch of epic proportions....

Tanah Aina Eco Resorts are quickly gaining popularity and fame as they are located in the jungle which is mostly untouched and where visitors there can view it in its natural glory and purest grandeur...

It was because of the success of all these glorious places, the Tanah Aina Coffee Table Book was also launch. The Tanah Aina Coffee Table Book was launched to celebrate the success of an amazing visionary woman, YBhg Kol Bersekutu (PA) Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina bt Syed Akil.

Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina bt Syed Akil better known by her nick name Aina  is the founder of Tanah Aina Resorts, founder of Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (PEKA Malaysia) and Women's Sports and Fitness Foundation (WSFFM)

All guests were greeted and given with a Assalamualakum from these adorable Idrissi International School children at the door of the Theatre Restaurant...

The event began with the arrival of the guests of honor, none other then Her Royal Highness Sultanah Terengganu Tuanku Nur Zahirah. accompanied by the lovely Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina as well as TYT Tuan Yang di,-Pertua Negeri Melaka, Tun Datuk Seri Utama Mohd Khalil bin Yaakob...

Then the kids from the Idrissi International School (IDRISSI) recited the opening prayer in three different languages., Arabic, English and Mandarin..I was quite bowled over in surprise by the Mandarin version as it was the first time I heard of it in Malaysia.

Idrissi International School (IDRISSI) is the the worlds first Eco-Islamic primary school. It is managed and operated under the Genius Aulad International Group Sdn Bhd, a team with more than 14 years of experience in the education industry.

The curriculum and learning materials have been developed with the cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic curriculum of Al Madinah International University, which is based on the Australian Curriculum Eco Organic School, National Botanical Garden, Landscape Malaysia and Protective Association Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka).

Then there was a lovely video presentation showing the beauty of the forest and also Tanah Aina Eco Resorts before a little girl stepped out and handed the first copy of the book to the lovely Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina who places it on a stand on the stage.

Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina then took to the stage to tell the audience and everyone present how her book came to be. The book reflects her story, of the time when she was a little girl who loved the jungle and who found the dense tropical jungle her haven and how it made her pursue her dreams towards protecting and preserving it. 

It was in this journey that made her into who she is today, it was where she discovered her own inner strength, her voice and success through the development of Tanah Aina...Despite not having any high education, with her determination, courage and creativity, she managed to be the architect, engineer and designer of Tanah Aina...

 Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina  is the wife to YAD Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof bin Tun Syed Nasir, and a mother of 5 children and 2 adorable grandchildren.

Since 2008, there are 9 Tanah Aina establishments of which 6 are eco resorts, 1 restaurant, 1 cafe and 1 fitness centre. All of which are named after either one of the children or her grandchildren.

Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina's vision was to ensure most part of the sites were well preserved. Clear concise instructions were given to ensure there was no falling of trees, no flattening of land, no displacing of rocks and boulders. The chalets were landscaped and built to the con tour of the jungle and most materials were taken from natural materials that did not include those glaring concrete and glass materials.

Guests and visitors get to connect and harmonise with nature in comfort. Anyone will find this experience humbling where there is a seamless bond between men and nature.

We were  well entertained with amazing dances and songs during the launch... 

 And they even brought Francissca Peter, also affectionately known as Fran, who was a very popular Malaysian singer-songwriter. She has had over twenty Number 1 hits in the Malaysian music charts and was awarded "Best Female Vocalist" for five consecutive years in the mid 1980s, and also known as one of the most inspirational women in Malaysia back then

And even at 55 years old, she proved to everyone how well she could still sing as she mesmerized the crowd with her lovely voice...

Another surprise in store for all who were present at the Tanah Aina Coffee Book launch was the appearance of Dan Hill.....

  

Daniel Grafton "Dan" Hill IV is a pop singer and songwriter who flew in all the way from Canada for this event. He had two major international hits with his songs "Sometimes When We Touch" and "Can't We Try" which he serenaded us with...to the delight of everyone present...

 Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina is not only a lover for nature, she loves to cook. As a master of the kitchen, she started Tanah Aina Cafe which is located in Wisma Tanah Aina, Shah Alam. Tanah Aina Cafe offers fresh, healthy, robust food which is all made from organic ingredients. 

It is also here at the Wisma Tanah Aina that the Tanah Aina Fitness Centre is located. The ever versatile Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina is also a fitness and aerobics instructor, thus the opening of this gym was another of her passionate dream come true. The Tanah Aina Fitness Centre is fully equpped and offers various classes such as aerobics, dance  and tae kwan do classes.

Before the event ended, Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina handed over a copy of her Tanah Aina Coffee Table book to Her Royal Highness Sultanah Terengganu Tuanku Nur Zahirah as a token of appreciation.

TYT Tuan Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka, Tun Datuk Seri Utama Mohd Khalil bin Yaakob also received his copy from the lovely Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina

The Tanah Aina Coffee Table book is dedicated to her family, friends and to all nature lovers. The book also speaks to all women to have faith and courage to pursue their own dreams. It is priced at RM180 and proceeds of the sales will be contributed to PEKA Malaysia

To get a copy of the  Tanah Aina Coffee Table book, go visit Tanah Aina Cafe in Shah Alam or you can call Juliet at 016 6090 493, Neni at 010 2265 815 or Hannah 0113 3405 359

And check out : https://www.facebook.com/tanahaina

http://www.tanahaina.com/

It was a lovely event which was very inspirational, and gave me more insight on how beautiful nature can be and  I also got my chance to breathe the same air with VVIPs and Royalty... Thank you to the team for having me...