Arabs Encouraged To Visit Beautiful, Friendly Malaysia

From Mohamad Bakri Darus JEDDAH, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- More Arabs should be visiting Malaysia, said a Saudi Arabia Culture and Information Ministry officer, who described Malaysia as rich in natural environment and its people, warm and friendly. Nizar Ahmad Al Harbi, assistant general manager of the ministry's Foreign Information Division), who can speak Bahasa Melayu and has visited Malaysia three times, said Malaysia was a peaceful and stable country, hence a very suitable destination for Arab tourists. "I have been to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Sabah, and these places are wonderful to visit," he told Bernama, here. Nizar, 52, who learned Malay at a language school here, is the accompanying officer for a group of journalists from Islamic countries invited by the Saudi Arabian government through the ministry, to cover and perform the pilgrimage during the 1432 Hijrah Haj season. "During one of our trips to Malaysia, my family and I stayed for four days in Cameron Highlands. The place is beautiful with lots of greenery and I like the cool weather there," said Nizar, who loved the sight of tea plantations on the highlands. Nizar said he was also impressed with the warmth and friendliness of Malaysians, making him want to stay in the country longer. He said he also did not have any problem in getting halal food in Malaysia as many hotels, restaurants and stalls served halal food. "Malaysian food is delicious. There's satay, good seafood....and I especially like young coconut water...very refreshing," he said. Nizar who plans to visit Malaysia again next year, said there was also no problem for Muslims to perform their daily prayers in Malaysia as there were a lot of mosques there. "I have been telling my friends and relatives in Saudi Arabia that they should visit Malaysia." He said there were advertisements promoting Malaysia, making it better known among Arabs, and he believed more Arabs would be visiting Malaysia in future. -- BERNAMA