KUALA TERENGGANU: “Whatever is happening in Egypt should reflect upon us (Malaysians) that we should forever be thankful and grateful for the peace and unity enjoyed in Malaysia all along.”
These profound words came straight from the heart of Malaysian Normalisa Amir Khalid, 24, and summed up what a blessed country Malaysia is.
She was among 23 students from Terengganu who arrived from Egypt, via special evacuation using commercial flights arranged by the Malaysian Government, under ‘Ops Piramid 2’ on Monday.
Normalisa, a fifth-year medical student in Mansourah, Egypt said the Malaysians there witnessed the great hardship faced by Egyptians due to the worsening crisis in the turbulent country.
“(On our part) We also faced hardship when our internet connections were cut, automated teller machines closed down and food supply depleted at retail outlets.
“More frightening, and one that made us feel (really) unsafe to be there, was when some Egyptians took advantage of the situation to commit snatch thefts and fondle women,” she told Bernama when met at the Sultan Mahmud Airport here Monday night.
The 23 students had arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 7.45pm on Monday, before continuing the flight to Kuala Terengganu, arriving here at 8.30pm.
Several students who were met by Bernama, mirrored Normalisa’s sentiments on the peace and harmony enjoyed in Malaysia, in that they could return to their families after undergoing several anxious incidents which were heart-stopping and even life-threatening in the ‘Land of the Pyramids’.
Medical student Nurul Izzati Abdullah Zayawi, 26, also opted to return home because she could not focus on studies due to the worsening situation there, of late.
“Although I was in Egypt during a previous conflict, the latest crisis in that country, this time around, is simply beyond our expectation.
“There was one incident when the police rushed into my friend’s house before dawn, and it was frightening for us, as we were located close to the place where the Egyptians gathered,” said Nurul who is expected to graduate in 2015.
For Nur Sabrina Abd Rashid, 23, she was thankful for the prompt action of the Malaysian Government to evacuate the 3,000 Malaysians in Egypt this time, because the situation was out of control and life-threatening.
Arpah Othman, 55, said her family performed ‘solat hajat’ prayers continuously for the safety of their children and all Malaysians in Egypt.
“I am very thankful to the Government of Malaysia for ‘Ops Piramid 2’, this time. Let us together pray for the revival of Egypt so that the knowledge exuding from the country can benefit us all,” she added. — Bernama