Syrian Refugees Thankful To Celebrate Eid Ul-Fitr In Malaysia

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), July 5 (Bernama) -- Syrian refugees in Malaysia are thankful to be able to celebrate Aidilfitri (Eid ul-Fitr), which falls on Wednesday, in a safe, comfortable and peaceful situation. Amar Firas Hliwah, 37, said he thanked the Malaysian government for bringing him and his family out of the conflict in his country, and all the aid rendered. The sensitivity of the Malaysian government and Malaysians is highly praised, he added. He said he and his family arrived here about a month ago and were still learning to adapt to the culture of the Malaysia people here. "My family and I are getting better. Although it will be our first Aidilfitri celebration in a foreign land, we are happy because we are safe and able to live in peace. "Malaysia is a beautiful country, many culture, a suitable country for us to start our new life," he said when met at the Syrian Migration Humanitarian programme here Tuesday. Bashir Shaaban, 40, said he was grateful to be able to continue with his life in Malaysia. "Malaysia is peaceful and Islamic. I am happy because this Aidilfitri will be a meaningful one, although I am celebrating it in a foreign country, where there is peace and comfort," he added. He said he missed his homeland and hoped that the situation there would calm down and he would return to meet his relatives. The two men were among the second group of Syrian refugees, comprising 17 families, who were brought here by the Malaysian government. They arrived here last May 28. So far, 79 Syrian refugees have been brought in stages into the country since Dec 8 last year. Another 500 are expected to arrive before end of the year. --BERNAMA