PETALING JAYA: A much-anticipated annual gathering for Malaysians in Qatar during Ramadan has been cancelled following the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The event, which was expected to bring together more than 150 Malaysians, was scheduled to be held at a hotel in Doha this Saturday.
However, organiser Malaysian Association of Qatar (MAQ) said the Majlis Berbuka Puasa & Garangao 2026 had to be called off in compliance with the latest directives from Qatari authorities and out of concern for the safety of attendees.
The annual event is usually one of the highlights for the Malaysian community over Ramadan, bringing families together not only for a breaking-of-fast, but also for the lively garangao celebration.
Garangao is a cherished Qatari Ramadan tradition in which children dressed in colourful traditional attire go from house to house in groups and sing traditional songs while collecting sweets and treats.
“We are now midway through Ramadan, yet this year we do not have the opportunity to celebrate garangao due to the current situation and in compliance with the authorities’ directive not to hold the celebration,” MAQ said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Separately, Melody L. Goh, 49, who has been stranded in Muscat, Oman, since Feb 28, said she planned to fly to Berlin with a transit in Doha.
“Mid-air, the captain told us that the plane was going to stop in Muscat instead.
“If I remember correctly, the captain said it was due to ‘instructions from the ground’.
“This meant it was not a problem with the plane,” said Goh, a StarLifestyle travel editor.
She then quickly texted a colleague to check what was happening. It was then that she learned about the Iran-US/Israel conflict.
Goh said they also had to wait in the plane for more than three hours before disembarking.
This was followed by another 90-minute wait for immigration clearance.
“Things have been okay here so far. It is the safest of all the neighbouring countries ever since this episode happened.
“However, it is getting packed as stranded people from everywhere else are coming here to seek refuge,” she said.
An Embassy official also came to see the Malaysians on March 1, she said.
Goh said she was provided accommodation and meals at a nearby airport hotel since landing in Muscat.
The airline, she said, has also begun rerouting and rescheduling passengers.
“I chose to reroute and return to Malaysia,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Consulate-General in Dubai is coordinating with airlines to increase flight frequency to Malaysia following disruptions that left many stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement, it said limited flights have resumed, with priority given to affected passengers.
Stranded passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines to obtain their latest flight status.
The consulate said it is closely monitoring the situation in Dubai and the northern emirates.
Based on information from local authorities, security conditions in Dubai remain stable and daily activities continue as usual.
Despite announcements that hotel accommodation costs for stranded passengers would be borne by local authorities, several Malaysians claimed that some hotels were still charging them for extended stays.
The consulate advised Malaysians to confirm payment arrangements directly with their hotels and airlines.
