By Abdul Muin Abdul Majid
DUBAI, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Holding plastic bags and invariably wearing a smile on their faces, groups of people emerged from the compound of a villa in a quiet suburban area of Dubai, Friday.
They had every reason to be happy for they had just visited a Ramadan bazaar -- a slice of Malaysian Ramadan experience transported to the desert sands of Dubai.
Long-time Malaysian residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reckoned that this was the first time such a bazaar had been organised by Malaysians for Malaysians during the fasting month of Ramadan which began on Monday in much of the Gulf region.
The rented villa belongs to the Malaysian consul-general in Dubai, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, who has consented to his residence being the venue for the bazaar every Friday during Ramadan.
He and his family, including a new baby boy, just moved in about a month ago -- unpacked boxes could still be seen inside the house.
A total of 14 stalls -- nothing fancy, just simple plastic tables -- sprung up on one side of the villa right up to its backyard.
And the star of the day was none other than the wide array of mouth-watering dishes on offer -- food items that would normally be served in the confines of one's home suddenly unveiled to the world.
With wonderful aromas wafting through the air, the crowd snapped up Malaysian favourites like "nasi kerabu", "nasi dagang", "ikan bakar and air asam", "masak lemak telur", "asam pedas" and the likes.
A lively atmosphere prevailed as Malaysians from all races, Muslims and non-Muslims alike -- some with foreigner friends tagging along -- strolled through the many stalls, stopping to buy anything that caught their fancy.
The response was tremendous. The bazaar started at about 4pm and was supposed to end at 6pm. But by 5pm, all the food was gone.
"I'm glad to see that the Malaysian community has managed to organise a Ramadan bazaar here," said Mohamad Hasrin, expressing delight over the big turnout of an estimated 500 people.
Ariffin Mamat, one of the people who helped organise the bazaar together with members of myUAE-PRO, an association comprising Malaysian professionals in the UAE, told Bernama that the whole idea behind the event was to bring a piece of typical Malaysian Ramadan atmosphere to Malaysians here.
"We hope that this would more or less lessen their longing for home, especially during this blessed month of Ramadan," he said.
According to Ariffin, feedback showed that more Malaysians were keen to unleash their culinary prowess and sell their concoctions at next week's Ramadan bazaar.
And he commended Mohamad Hasrin for supporting activities involving the Malaysian community in this Gulf nation.
"He's very obliging. And the fact that we're having Ramadan bazaar at his place makes it easier for Malaysians to interact with the consul-general," he added.
Mohammed Zahed Abdullah, a broadcast engineer who has been living in the UAE for the past 12 years, said he felt heartened to see efforts being made to enable Malaysians to experience Ramadan just like they used to back home.
"And from what I saw today, the`muhibbah' (harmony and goodwill) spirit is very much alive among the various races," he told Bernama in between helping his wife, Nora Hashim, at their stall selling dishes like "gulai ketam masak lemak cili api", chicken curry and "sayur bendi goreng bercili".
Nora said she relished the opportunity to put her cooking talent to good use for the appreciative customers.
Asked how much they made today, Zahed smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. It was all in good fun."
Another Malaysian, one of many who were unlucky enough to go back empty-handed when the food ran out, vowed to be among the early birds next week.
"I'll be here one hour before the bazaar starts, God willing," he said as his wife chuckled beside him.
And perhaps the consul-general could now get back to the business of unpacking the boxes until the next Ramadan bazaar comes around.
-- BERNAMA
DUBAI, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Holding plastic bags and invariably wearing a smile on their faces, groups of people emerged from the compound of a villa in a quiet suburban area of Dubai, Friday.
They had every reason to be happy for they had just visited a Ramadan bazaar -- a slice of Malaysian Ramadan experience transported to the desert sands of Dubai.
Long-time Malaysian residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reckoned that this was the first time such a bazaar had been organised by Malaysians for Malaysians during the fasting month of Ramadan which began on Monday in much of the Gulf region.
The rented villa belongs to the Malaysian consul-general in Dubai, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, who has consented to his residence being the venue for the bazaar every Friday during Ramadan.
He and his family, including a new baby boy, just moved in about a month ago -- unpacked boxes could still be seen inside the house.
A total of 14 stalls -- nothing fancy, just simple plastic tables -- sprung up on one side of the villa right up to its backyard.
And the star of the day was none other than the wide array of mouth-watering dishes on offer -- food items that would normally be served in the confines of one's home suddenly unveiled to the world.
With wonderful aromas wafting through the air, the crowd snapped up Malaysian favourites like "nasi kerabu", "nasi dagang", "ikan bakar and air asam", "masak lemak telur", "asam pedas" and the likes.
A lively atmosphere prevailed as Malaysians from all races, Muslims and non-Muslims alike -- some with foreigner friends tagging along -- strolled through the many stalls, stopping to buy anything that caught their fancy.
The response was tremendous. The bazaar started at about 4pm and was supposed to end at 6pm. But by 5pm, all the food was gone.
"I'm glad to see that the Malaysian community has managed to organise a Ramadan bazaar here," said Mohamad Hasrin, expressing delight over the big turnout of an estimated 500 people.
Ariffin Mamat, one of the people who helped organise the bazaar together with members of myUAE-PRO, an association comprising Malaysian professionals in the UAE, told Bernama that the whole idea behind the event was to bring a piece of typical Malaysian Ramadan atmosphere to Malaysians here.
"We hope that this would more or less lessen their longing for home, especially during this blessed month of Ramadan," he said.
According to Ariffin, feedback showed that more Malaysians were keen to unleash their culinary prowess and sell their concoctions at next week's Ramadan bazaar.
And he commended Mohamad Hasrin for supporting activities involving the Malaysian community in this Gulf nation.
"He's very obliging. And the fact that we're having Ramadan bazaar at his place makes it easier for Malaysians to interact with the consul-general," he added.
Mohammed Zahed Abdullah, a broadcast engineer who has been living in the UAE for the past 12 years, said he felt heartened to see efforts being made to enable Malaysians to experience Ramadan just like they used to back home.
"And from what I saw today, the`muhibbah' (harmony and goodwill) spirit is very much alive among the various races," he told Bernama in between helping his wife, Nora Hashim, at their stall selling dishes like "gulai ketam masak lemak cili api", chicken curry and "sayur bendi goreng bercili".
Nora said she relished the opportunity to put her cooking talent to good use for the appreciative customers.
Asked how much they made today, Zahed smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. It was all in good fun."
Another Malaysian, one of many who were unlucky enough to go back empty-handed when the food ran out, vowed to be among the early birds next week.
"I'll be here one hour before the bazaar starts, God willing," he said as his wife chuckled beside him.
And perhaps the consul-general could now get back to the business of unpacking the boxes until the next Ramadan bazaar comes around.
-- BERNAMA
Photos by Abdul Halim Ab Rahman
