USM, PENANG, 6 July 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Masters and Ph.D alumni, Dr. Ghassan Ahmed Ali, 36, and Dr. Bassam Altamimi, 34, from Saudi Arabia has always considered USM and Malaysia as their second home since they began their studies in this country.

So much so that Ghassan chose to celebrate this Aidil Fitri with his friends here in Malaysia.

Ghassan, who is now an assistant professor at the Najran University Saudi Arabia, was happy to return to Malaysia where he has lots of fond memories of the seven years he spent here in this country.

"In fact I have written a book about the Malay culture and the Muslims here in 2011 in Arabic to give to my friends who are pursuing their studies in this country, especially USM with the help of the USM Islamic Centre," he said when met at the Masjid Al-Malik Khalid after attending the Aidil Fitri Prayers and a ceremony presenting certificates to about 80 children of the international students, especially among the Arab students, who are studying at USM.

The children received the certificates for participating in the Al-Quran memorisation programme, held here on 27 June 2016. The certificates were presented by the USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman who joined the jemaah at the prayers earlier.

According to Ghassam, he is very impressed with the diversity of Malaysian culture and feels very much at home because he has been treated like a family member by the people of this country during his stay here.

His wife, Manal Ali Ahmed, is currently pursuing her Ph.D at the USM School of Educational Studies.

Meanwhile, Bassam, who is presently an assistant professor at the Thaibah University, Madinah completed his Ph.D at the School of Computer Sciences in 2014.

“I have so many fond memories of Penang and especially USM where the warmth and hospitality of the campus community made me feel very much at home,” he said when met at the same function.

He added: “I have made many friends here and visited many interesting places in the country during my stay, and was so fascinated with the culture, food, friendship, hospitality and kindness of the people here that I made a promise to myself that I would definitely return to Malaysia.”

"I'm proud of USM, proud to be an alumni of USM, and that was why I returned and have been here since the end of Ramadan to meet up with friends and lecturers who have helped me a lot and will always be in my heart," said Ghassam.

Both of them are indeed proud of USM and appreciated the contributions and support of USM Islamic Centre that has largely helped to unite the students, especially those from the Middle East, while they are studying here.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Mohamad Abdullah