Sudan rebels hail Malaysia as model Islamic nation
BernamaPublished: Sep 11, 2014 1:48 AM | Updated: Sep 11, 2014 5:12 AM
Malaysia's reputation as a model Islamic nation is recognised even among rebels in strife-torn Sudan, said a member of the Malaysian police who had served in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur, Sudan.
Malaysia's reputation as a model Islamic nation is recognised even among rebels in strife-torn Sudan, said a member of the Malaysian police who had served in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur, Sudan.
ASP Mohd Zuhairi Zubir, 38, when relating a near-fatal incident, said he and his team of peacekeepers were staring in the face of death when surrounded by rebels for about six hours.
"I was not proficient in Arabic but managed to explain where I was from through a translator. It was terrifying but I told them that I was from Malaysia and that we were there to assist them and not to look for trouble or fight against them.
"When I mentioned Malaysia, they showed a lot of respect since Malaysia has a 'big' reputation among the people of Sudan," he said when referring to his close call with death.
Mohd Zuhairi was among eight police personnel who returned home after serving in Darfur and South Sudan for 15 months under the UN peacekeeping force which comprised personnel from various countries.
The second batch was received by PDRM Management Department's Assistant Director (Secretariat), ACP Abdul Majid Mohd Ali at the KL International Airport, yesterday.
He said though Malaysia's representation in the UN peacekeeping force was small, (19 in Darfur, Sudan and five in South Sudan), people in Sudan have much respect for Malaysia as a model Islamic nation.
Meanwhile, head of the Malaysian mission, DSP Nor Azlan A Kudus, 41, said although the objective of the UN peacekeeping force was to restore peace, members of the mission had to undergo various challenges throughout the 15 months, including attacks from rebels.
In December, a massive attack on a UN base resulted in the death of two battalions from India.
"In April there was another attack on locals who had fled to the UN base.
“During the attack by rebels, UN peacekeepers, including from Malaysia, managed to escape the attack," he said, adding that Malaysia would continue to send members from the police to join the peacekeeping mission.
- Bernama
ASP Mohd Zuhairi Zubir, 38, when relating a near-fatal incident, said he and his team of peacekeepers were staring in the face of death when surrounded by rebels for about six hours.
"I was not proficient in Arabic but managed to explain where I was from through a translator. It was terrifying but I told them that I was from Malaysia and that we were there to assist them and not to look for trouble or fight against them.
"When I mentioned Malaysia, they showed a lot of respect since Malaysia has a 'big' reputation among the people of Sudan," he said when referring to his close call with death.
Mohd Zuhairi was among eight police personnel who returned home after serving in Darfur and South Sudan for 15 months under the UN peacekeeping force which comprised personnel from various countries.
The second batch was received by PDRM Management Department's Assistant Director (Secretariat), ACP Abdul Majid Mohd Ali at the KL International Airport, yesterday.
He said though Malaysia's representation in the UN peacekeeping force was small, (19 in Darfur, Sudan and five in South Sudan), people in Sudan have much respect for Malaysia as a model Islamic nation.
Meanwhile, head of the Malaysian mission, DSP Nor Azlan A Kudus, 41, said although the objective of the UN peacekeeping force was to restore peace, members of the mission had to undergo various challenges throughout the 15 months, including attacks from rebels.
In December, a massive attack on a UN base resulted in the death of two battalions from India.
"In April there was another attack on locals who had fled to the UN base.
“During the attack by rebels, UN peacekeepers, including from Malaysia, managed to escape the attack," he said, adding that Malaysia would continue to send members from the police to join the peacekeeping mission.
- Bernama
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