UMK fetes students celebrating Aidilfitri away from home

KOTA BHARU, May 25 -- While most of their course mates have returned to their hometowns for Aidilfitri celebration, 12 Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) students, including six from overseas could not do so, following the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to curb COVID-19 transmission.

For this reason, the university took the initiative to organise a simple Hari Raya Aidilfitri feast to lift their spirits and overcome their feeling of longing to be with their family.

A first-year Earth Science student from Somalia, Siyad Abdul Rahman, 24, said it is sad to be away from home as this is the first time he is celebrating Aidilfitri in a foreign country.

“Aidilfitri is a joyous occasion in my home country with the family gathering together to enjoy the traditional festive dishes, namely mutton rice, halwa and a variety of biscuits.

“Although I miss my mom's cooking, I am thankful to get to enjoy the local traditional dishes, especially satay and peanut gravy, and this is a totally new experience for me,” he told Bernama when met at UMK Pengkalan Chepa campus here today. Also present was vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azizi Ismail.

Siyad said he decided to remain on campus instead of returning to his hometown because the flight ticket was limited and costly, coupled with the fact that he had only been here for four months.

Meanwhile, Hadiana Nanang Hidayat, 26, who hails from Indonesia, said he was feeling homesick initially but being with others for the celebration had cheered him up.

“My initial plan was to return home in early May, but due to the MCO, I had to remain on campus”, said Hadiana who is in the Agro-based Industry Faculty.

Meanwhile, Noor Azizi said the feast was organised for other international students who are from India, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as local students from Sabah and Sarawak.

“We hope they have enjoyed themselves despite having to abide by the Standard Operating Procedures set by the Health Ministry,” he said adding that throughout the MCO/CMCO, UMK had sent home almost 1,000 students back to their hometowns.

-- BERNAMA