By Izzud deen Redzuan
GOMBAK, 20 July 2015: Eid ul-Fitr is an occasion for family reunification. It is a day when families bond and share the blessings of love and care. But it is not the same everywhere as foreign students who are studying here often have no family to visit and no relative to take them home to celebrate Eid.
They said celebrating the festival away from their families lacks flavour, where the joy is not the same being home. However, they are mindful that they are required to be abroad due to their studies and hoped that they can return home successfully with good grades and degrees within a few years.
They said they relied heavily on social networks and other Internet services to connect with their families to feel closer to home while meeting with other international students to enjoy and celebrate the festival together at the Mahallahs.
Ibraheem, a masters student from Syria said, œEid has its own flavour. Its the moment in which you celebrate it with families and friends once a year, whereby everyone gathers together at living room after prayer then exchange greetings or maybe gifts. In meantime, we are waiting for relatives to drop by. Somehow, the conversations can last till late into the night.
“When the new moon appears over Dubai, the Islamic community break into colourful celebrations, throwing food festivals, performing music and spending time with friends and family on the morning of Eid,” said Qadeer.
He added, “Here, without family, I take a place in this beautiful morning at our university mosque to gather and celebrate Eid with other fellow friends asking forgiveness those who have done me wrong and repent for any mistakes I may have committed. It is also a great time to wish good wishes to everyone.”
Hassan, an engineering student said it was difficult for him to celebrate Eid without his family even though there is the net to communicate with them. œSeeing and sharing pictures virtually will never win the actual hugged of your loved ones, in which I mean is my parents, he explained.
Awla Kamal, a friend from Cairo said, œYou know what I miss most? Kisses from both my parents on my forehead and seeking blessings from them on the morning Eid. Deen, can I cry now? (We both cried)
Shariff Ameer, a student studying in the Universiti Malaya said, œThis is my fourth time celebrating Eid outside my country and IIUM has always been our place to gather among us from Jordan, to plan our Eid activities. Annually, we host a dinner and invite others international students to enliven the night.
Faisal Mustafa, a degrees student said, œWho says were not happy? With other fellow friends from different regions. Today, we have these ˜fashion day. Everyone put on their traditional and colourful clothes. I glad to have this chances to see such beauty and well preserved identity.
All of them agreed that, it is the price they had to pay for being committed for their future, as they have to sacrifice a bit to achieve something that worthy to learn and return home with good knowledge and expertise to serve their homeland.***