JOHOR BARU: Malaysian hospitality helped ease the homesickness felt by foreign students here as they celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri away from their families and loved ones.
Abdulkader Sardini, 21, who hails from Aleppo, Syria, is impressed with the Malaysian spirit of unity and community during the Aidilfitri celebration.
“I have been here for one year already. I am very pleased with the spirit of community and unity here. No one asks whether you are a Malaysian or not. We are just one.
“As foreigners, we are away from our parents, especially during Aidilfitri. But all Malaysians have accepted us as part of their family,” the Computer Science student told Bernama when met at Istana Besar yesterday.
Abdulkader said this was especially evident at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) where he is currently studying.
“We are all one big family. We celebrated Aidilfitri together, just like another Malaysian,” he added.
For Muhammad Asim Siddique, 38, who is from Pakistan, Malaysia is like his second home.
The Computer Science PhD student, however, really missed his briyani, which is specially served during Aidilfitri celebration back home in Lahore.
However, for UTM exchange programme students Alexis De Lizaso and Linda Broere, this was their first time experiencing and celebrating Hari Raya with Muslims here.
De Lizaso, 20, said it was a good experience for him as the atmosphere was really warm and the food was great.
“It reminded me of Christmas when everybody celebrates together. I was really impressed.
“For food, I really like chicken satay and other delicacies, except those which are spicy as I have yet to acquire the taste for spicy stuff,” he said, showing off his blue baju melayu.
Broere will be sharing her experiences celebrating the festive season here with her university friends back in Turku, Finland.
“We have a bulletin at the university where we can share our experiences, especially during exchange programmes.
“I have so much to tell them, especially about the lovely dishes and great experience encountered with the people here,” said the 21-year-old.
It is also the first time for the computing student to wear the kebaya.
