MGT300

Wednesday December 8, 2010

Foreign students foster ties at Mid-Eastern eateries

By EDWARD R. HENRY

edward@thestar.com.my

Arabic and Lebanese food restaurants in a Middle-Eastern-infused setting in Kuala Lumpur is attracting foreign students from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen who use these eateries to meet friends from their homeland.

A number of students feel closer to home at these outlets that sell various soups, breads, a range of well-marinated lamb chop, shish kebab and garlic dips.

It is also a place to meet new friends and get help in their studies.

Iraqi student Bassam Hussein Jabbar, 28, who has been in the Klang Valley for three years, loves the variety of food and warmth that Malaysians exude.

A day out: Middle Eastern students spending time together at a restautant in Kuala Lumpur. This place in Jalan Damai caters to the Iraqis, Iranians, Yemenese and Lebanese.

“Being in a foreign land, the eateries become our hangouts. We love to be at Tarbush and Khaimat Al Sahara restaurants in Bukit Bintang. Most Iraqis live at the Bukit OUG condominium in Old Klang Road and it is convenient for them to travel to Kuala Lumpur on weekends,” he said.

Bassam, who is studying at the City University College of Science and Technology (CUCST) in Petaling Jaya, said Malaysia and Iraq had much in common.

“Iraqis feel at home here as the culture of friends and families coming together during festivals is something we are accustomed to.

“Most of the time we meet just to socialise, catch up with others and exchange news from home,” he said.

Enhancing ties: (From left) Students from Iran having a meal together at one of the restaurant along Jalan Damai off Jalan Ampang in KL.

Bassam said restaurants that catered to Middle Easterners like Lebanese, Iraqis, Yemenese and Syrians had mushroomed along Jalan Damai, off Jalan Ampang and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

CUCST Business Information System student Marwan Banasea, 22, who has been in Malaysia for five years, said the regular hang­outs for students was the Mid-Valley Mall and Low Yat Plaza for those wanting to source for information technology hardware.

“For shopping, our friends love Berjaya Times Square and for food it is the Castle Restaurant in Jalan Damai, off Jalan Ampang. Restaurants in Jalan Damai are the places to meet other students from our homeland during weekends,” he said.

Marwan added that those wanting to be close to nature usually visited Templer’s Park which is within reach from Kuala Lumpur.

CUCST business management lecturer Baharin Yaakub, 40, said the Middle Easterners who pursued their studies here were friendly, courteous and loved the Malaysian lifestyle.

“Most of the time the students would go to Kuala Lumpur to meet friends from other varsities and we can spot them in Jalan Damai or Jalan Bukit Bintang as that is where their favourite restaurants are located and which cater to their taste in music,” he said.