DUBAI: A Malaysian chef working in Dubai endured a tense and sleepless night when explosions rocked the city, heard as early as 6pm on Saturday (Feb 28) and continuing into early Sunday.
Muhammad Syafiq Izzuddin Shahrom, 32, a chef at a hotel in Oud Metha, said he first heard blasts near his neighbourhood shortly after Maghrib prayers before receiving an emergency alert at midnight, followed by further explosions near Dubai International Airport — just 10 minutes from his home.
"At around 6am, during Subuh, I heard three to four loud detonations within 10 minutes. They were from the UAE air defence intercepting incoming threats," he told The Star on Sunday.
Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport was among the areas affected by the disruptions, causing a surge of stranded passengers who sought shelter at nearby hotels, including the one where Syafiq works.
"We were put on standby to handle the influx of guests who couldn't get out of the airport. There was no proper rest — we just had to keep going," he said.
Syafiq said his family back in Malaysia has been constantly contacting him to get updates on the latest developments here.
"My parents called every hour asking for updates. It was stressful for them too," he added.
Syafiq said the Malaysian Consulate in Dubai, led by Consul General Riaz Razak, played a key role in keeping the community calm throughout the night.
"The consulate was very proactive. They sent out reminders quickly and advised us to stay alert. Their response was reassuring," he said.
Syafiq said the expatriate was kept assured of their safety by the UAE's air defence systems’ interception of what seemed like thousands of tonnes of missiles.
"The security systems here are very, very good. The fact that so many missiles were intercepted shows that we are being protected," he said.
He urged Malaysians in the region to remain vigilant and maintain contact with the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate, while cautioning against spreading unverified information.
"Do not make assumptions or share things that could cause panic. Stay informed through official channels," he said.
Syafiq, who has lived in Dubai for three years, also expressed concern over the timing of the conflict, with Ramadan approaching and many Malaysians abroad hoping to return home.
"Many of us are worried about whether we will be able to fly back in time to celebrate with our families. I hope this situation does not drag on," he said.
"Keep praying for us,” he added.
On Sunday, Wisma Putra issued a travel advisory for Malaysians in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE
Wisma Putra advised Malaysians in the region to defer all non-essential travel to these countries until the situation stabilises.
The ministry also strongly urged those in or near affected areas to exercise a high degree of vigilance, avoid areas of military activity and public gatherings, and strictly adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
Malaysians residing in or travelling to these countries are urged to immediately register and update their contact details with the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission or via e-Konsular at https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my to facilitate timely assistance if required.
