MELBOURNE, July 28 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife, Tun Jeanne Abdullah joined more than 800 Malaysians, mostly students, here to celebrate Eid.
Following prayers to mark the end of Ramadan, Abdullah, who is here for a medical check-up, was delighted to meet students and other Malaysians on this festive occasion. The Malaysian Consul-General here, Datuk Dr Mohd Raneez Yahaya told Bernama it was "a privilege and honour to have Pak Lah in our midst". He said the students were particularly, delighted when told the former prime minister would be celebrating Eid with them. SP Setia chief executive in Melbourne, Choong Kai Wai held an open house at the Setia premises in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Australian Muslims marked the end of Ramadan with prayers for people caught up in conflict, as well as the families of those who died on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Muslims gathered at mosques nationwide Monday morning to celebrate Eid. The Lebanese Muslim Association said Ramadan had been a month of worship and reflection, but also sorrow.
"As we celebrate today, our thoughts are with the people of Gaza, Syria and Iraq, and with the families of Australians who died on board MH17," an association spokesman told the Australian Associated Press. MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17, killing all 298 people on board, including 37 Australian residents and citizens.
The association also expressed concern for Muslims in conflict zones. "While we are living in relative ease, the Muslims globally have been facing some of the worst hardships...we pray for the people of Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Egypt, Central African Republic, and all those who are suffering around the world," said the spokesman.
-- BERNAMA