Syrian children excited to celebrate first, peaceful Aidilfitri in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: For most children in Malaysia, having new clothes to wear during Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration is something very exciting.
However, for Syrian child refugees who will, for the first time, celebrate Aidilfitri outside their war-torn country, excited is probably an understatement.
Five-year-old Hamzah Manad and seven-year-old Fatimah Batul Imad, who reached Malaysia some two years ago with their families, are waiting impatiently for Aidilfitri this year where they will be able to celebrate it with their families and friends without having to worry about their safety.
"This is the first time that I get a chance to buy new clothes and toys for Aidilfitri. I am extremely excited and happy that I can really celebrate it with my friends," said Fatimah, who speaks fluent English and Bahasa Malaysia, when met during the Rural and Regional Development Ministry Corporate Service Responsibility (CSR) programme today.
Hamzah and Fatimah were among the 42 Syrian child refugees brought by Rural and Regional Development Ministry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to shop for Hari Raya at a shopping complex here.

Speaking to reporters, Ismail Sabri said this was the first time such a programme was being conducted and that he hoped the children would have a memorable Hari Raya with their loved ones.
"They have suffered enough in their country and now, they can live happily in our peaceful Malaysia.
"We will work hand in hand with the relevant ministry to help them, but to me, the most important thing is their education," the minister said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Lifeline for Syria Chief Executive Officer, Syahril Azfar Saleh said that currently, the children are attending classes at the Jasmine Ash-sham School in Setiawangsa, here.
"We have some 50 students at the school and we run fully on donations by the people.
"We hope we could collaborate with relevant ministries to provide better education for them. One day they will go back to Syria and by then, they have to be able to stand by themselves and rebuild their country," he said. — Bernama