Photos by: Abdul Halim Ab Rahman
Warm Gathering In UAE For Country's Birthday Bash
ABU DHABI, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- The spirit of "Merdeka" was very much alive among Malaysians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who thronged the Malaysian embassy here to join in the country's 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Those from Dubai arrived early in the morning, taking off in a "convoy" in 12 cars as early as 7am for the two-hour drive here to be part of the nation's birthday bash.
Living thousands of miles away from home did not stop them from being in a festive mood and showing love for the country which has seen tremendous development in all aspects.
Khairul Affendi, who led the convoy from Dubai, said that the nation's birthday bash also enabled Malaysians from different parts of the UAE to mingle with each other, especially those staying in Abu Dhabi, the capital city.
"It is a very warm gathering indeed to commemorate our nation's birth," said Khairul, who has been in Dubai for three years and is attached with Limitless, an integrated real estate company.
There are about 3,200 Malaysians in the UAE with the majority staying in Dubai.
And what is a "party" without Malaysian food. For this special occasion, the embassy has ordered satay all the way from Malaysia.
According to first secretary Fadli Adilah, since the country is celebrating its golden jubilee, the embassy wanted to have something special on the menu.
"So we decided to have satay as the main menu and ordered it from Malaysia," he said.
-- BERNAMA