Exciting Keluarga Malaysia Aidilfitri celebration for Malaysians in UK

LONDON: It was a lively atmosphere as guests who attended the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) Aidilfitri celebration here, on Tuesday, looked smart and elegant in their baju Melayu and baju kurung as well as traditional costumes.

As exciting as it was to celebrate with family members back home, some of the 300 Malaysians who attended the Keluarga Malaysia Aidilfitri here took the opportunity to greet each other after being unable to meet and celebrate the Raya open house for two years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Keluarga Malaysia Aidilfitri celebration with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Malaysian delegation was a manifestation of the harmony and close ties of Malaysia's plural society.

The presence of Ismail Sabri, who was on his way to Washington D.C. to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit, in the English capital to visit the Royal Pahang Weave Fair and the Eid celebrations, also helped cure their longing for home and Malaysian sumptuous delicacies.

"I am happy to see the close relationship of the Keluarga Malaysia regardless of race and religion. The Malaysian Family spirit is not only in Malaysia but also (clearly demonstrated) abroad. I am proud of what I see in London," Ismail Sabri told Malaysian journalists here.

The Prime Minister said the presence of many Malaysians in the United Kingdom at the event was exciting and he was proud to see the close relationship among Malaysians regardless of race and religion, not only among Malaysian students and workers but also among Malaysians residing here.

"This is my dream, to see Malaysians as one big family that we call Malaysian family," said Ismail Sabri, who spent about three hours at the event, mingling with the guests.

Several Malaysians met by Bernama at the event described the concept of the Malaysian Family implemented by the government led by Ismail Sabri as a noble initiative that should be supported by all.

According to them, the aspirations of the Malaysian Family bring hope for the people of various races to be united and work closely together in facing any challenges ahead, for the progress of the country.

Surgeon Dr Nur Amalina Che Bakri, 35, who lives in Victoria, United Kingdom for the past 18 years, said that Malaysians, regardless of religion and race, need to work together to build the Malaysian Family, thus realising the desire to achieve the country's aspiration to become a developed nation.

Expressing her happiness to attend the Aidilfitri celebration with her mother, she also prayed for all Malaysians to always receive the blessings of Allah SWT and live in peace, unity and work with each other to build a strong Malaysian Family for the unity of all Malaysians.

Meanwhile, final year architecture student at the De Monfort University Leicester, Farah Salim said being away from family and celebrating holidays abroad was an experience that taught her to be more mature to navigate life.

"Being able to attend the Malaysian Family Hari Raya celebration is very exciting because I get to know many people, as well as meet and shake hands with the Prime Minister and other national leaders," she said.

A law student at the University of Sheffield, Mohamad Iman said the aspirations of the Malaysian Family served as a 'big umbrella' for Malaysians wherever they were and they needed to stick together for the country.

"What I learned abroad is to gain experience, ideas and knowledge for me to apply when I return to Malaysia later," he said. He also hoped that Malaysia would have political stability and economic strength to enable the country to rise and recover following the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world.

The celebration was also attended by a group of non-Muslim Malaysian students, including those who are studying at Oxford, located about two hours away from London.

Among them are Isabel Lee and Ethan Saw, both 19, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Oxford and Samantha Lee, 21, a dental student at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

-- BERNAMA