A biology and anthropology major in Canada, Megat Muhammad Hussin Mohd Hamka shared that National Day reminds him of the sacrifices made by the nation’s forefathers in order for their posterity to lead a better life.
“For me, it symbolises our freedom to pursue knowledge without borders and seeing the world through the lens of liberty.”
Every Aug 31, Megat and his friends join in a get-together event organised by the Malaysian Students’ Association at the University of Toronto (MASAT), Canada.
During the event, various activities are held to strengthen the bond between old members of the society and to break the ice with first-year students.
“There would be potlucks, which require us to prepare Malaysian food beforehand. We also sing the national anthem, play telematch games, and take part in networking sessions,” he said.
On what he misses the most about his motherland, the 22-year- old said without hesitation, “The food, obviously!”
“I’ve travelled to several countries and tried their local food, yet none of them can compare to the scrumptiousness of Malaysian food.
“Here in Canada, you’d be lucky if their ‘extra spicy’ fried rice matches the spiciness of normal belacan fried rice cooked in tomyam restaurants,” he shared.
While Amirul Ikman Azman, 24, has spent a good amount of time studying overseas, the aeronautical engineering graduate does not forget the significance of National Day. He sees it as a day that signifies “a new hope, a new horizon that brings forth a new dawn”.
Amirul makes sure that the message of unity is conveyed loud and clear. The University of Sydney alumnus was the director of an event called Merdeka Raya in 2014, which pushed for a massive celebration in conjunction with National Day by all Malaysian student unions in Sydney.
Later in 2015, Amirul went on to become the advisor for a bigger and more grandiose celebration known as Merdeka. It was a month-long celebration with competitions and diverse events held.
“It was to gather all Malaysians to truly appreciate and understand what Merdeka really means. But what I am excited now is how I am able to contribute back to the country that has done so much for my family and me, and to improve the status quo of my nation,” Amirul said.
Nor Athirah Abdul Razak, who is studying at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, shared that she and her friends would usually gather the night before National Day and cook Malaysian food together.
“We would wait until midnight for a little celebration. We would play the national song and sing together.”
They would also decorate their rented house with Malaysian flags. The next morning, they would head to the park to snap pictures holding the Jalur Gemilang.
Similar to Megat, the 20-year-old confessed that she misses Malaysian food the most.
“Being in the UK made me realise how blessed we are for the variety of food that we have in Malaysia. Food is one way we cope with homesickness,” she said.
She also commented on how much she missed the Malaysian weather, especially during the winter season in the United Kingdom.
“Unlike in Malaysia, you can never go out with one layer of clothes in Manchester.”
Nor Athirah sees National Day as a way to “appreciate our forefathers’ sacrifices as we can never imagine how much they suffered during the war”.
“National Day gives freedom not only to our country, but also to us. A better nation starts with better citizens,” she added.
Note: This article was written and published in The Star's NIE pullout in August 2018.
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