Zainal Abidin’s Story, Myanmar (Rohingya)
In Myanmar, it was as if we were underwater, we couldn’t breathe.
“In 2013, my whole family had to leave Yangon. A madrasa near my house was burned down. The children were burnt with the school. We just had to leave. In the morning, we were alive but there was no certainty in the evening. I feel heartbroken because they destroyed our masjid, our young children, our houses, our properties. It was very painful, very painful. I didn’t want to stay there anymore. I feel very sad because we are originally from Myanmar. In Myanmar, it was as if we were underwater, we couldn’t breathe.
Now in Malaysia, we can come up to breathe freely. We are alive here. I feel very happy to come here because life is not certain in Myanmar. Malaysia is the only choice for us, we hear other people say it’s good for Muslims. Alhamdulillah, Malaysia is very good, the people are very friendly. Sometimes they think we are Malaysian, the same. It’s very nice.
My hope for the future, inshaAllah, is for my sister to continue her education. After that, then I will think for myself. Sometimes she cries a lot, she feels that she doesn’t have any future in Malaysia. I tell her at least you are alive here. In Myanmar, you can study but you are not sure to be alive. She is more important than me and she is youngest one. She is young, without any experience, she still needs to study. InshaAllah, I will try again and I will get her the opportunity.”
