One good turn deserves another.
The Iranian community living here vividly remember Malaysia’s humanitarian disaster assistance, rendered to their country in the past.
As Malaysia was hit by floods recently, the local Iranian community stepped forward with heart-felt contributions for flood victims in the Klang Valley and the east coast of the peninsula.
Iranian ambassador Ali Asghar Mohammadi engaged the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim) to disburse essential items to the victims.
Ali Asghar handed over a one-tonne load of items to Mapim president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid at a simple ceremony at the Iranian embassy in Lorong U-Thant Satu, Taman U-Thant.
“Our people very much never forget how Malaysians rallied to assist us during our trying times during the 2003 earthquke in Bam (in Iran’s Kerman Province south of the capital Tehran).
“The town was almost completely destroyed (by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake) and Malaysia was among the international community that brought humanitarian assistance.
“It is now our turn to return the favour, in whatever small but meaningful way.
“It is not the quantity but quality of assistance that counts,” said Ali Asghar.
While extending his condolences to the flood victims, Ali Asghar said it was times like these that unity and solidarity among Muslims mean a lot.
“Our people are passionate and sincere in helping out Malaysians in whatever way possible,” he said.
Ali Asghar revealed that there were an estimated 10,000 Iranians living in Malaysia, mainly students, lecturers and long-stay visa holders under the Malaysian My Second Home programme.
He added that their contributions were mainly essential items such as clothes, food, medical supplies and hygiene kits.
Mohd Azmi, more fondly known as Cikgu Azmi, considered the Iranian assistance as a very important gesture towards forging closer relations between both countries.
“You cannot just consider the assistance as symbolic but something to pursue further. Many people do not perceive the human attributes attached with it.
“We ourselves have a lot to learn from natural disasters that has caused much sufferings for the people
“We were caught off guard but are happy to see the impromptu assistance rendered by the international community,” said Azmi.
He added that through solidarity, the message of humanity was successfully conveyed across borders.
“Despite our differing languages and cultures, the spirit of brotherhood is very much alive and we should harness our resources for mutual benefits,” said Mohd Azmi.
Source: nst
