On Assignment In China, Journalists Share The Meaning Of Aidiladha Sacrifice Abroad

From Siti Zanariah Nor Zin

(The writer is a journalist with the Malaysian National News Agency, BERNAMA, selected to represent the Malaysian media in the three-month China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) fellowship programme organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association.)

FUYANG (China), May 27 (NNN) -- For journalists, festive celebrations are not always about holidays and the opportunity to gather with loved ones. Instead, the responsibility of delivering news to the public continues even during major Islamic celebrations such as Aidiladha.

For several Muslim journalists currently participating in the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme, this year’s Aidiladha was observed in a modest atmosphere and with personal reflection, far away from their families and the customary celebrations in their respective home countries.

Although they come from different backgrounds and countries, they shared the same spirit in commemorating the important occasion, despite the absence of festive cheer, the chants of takbir in mosques, or traditional festive dishes.

Executive Editor and Head of Digital Media at Daily Ittehad Media Group and Pakistan Economic Network, Moiz Farooq, said celebrating Aidiladha abroad for the first time had given him a different and humbling experience.

“This is the first time I am celebrating Eid ul-Adha away from home, and in China with my fellow Muslim friends from Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of the world.

“The experience is humbling, but I felt really great. The warmth and company make me feel at home away from home,” he said.

He said journalists, like other professionals including doctors, must continue working and remain in the field regardless of the festive season in order to cover developments taking place around the world.

MetroTV Indonesia journalist Nadia Ayu Soraya said the presence of several other Muslim participants from various countries helped ease her longing for the festive atmosphere back home.

She said the Chinese government, as well as fellow journalists who were not celebrating Aidiladha, had also shown understanding and hospitality throughout their stay in the country.

“In every assignment, we also learn. Here, we continue working and sending many news reports to Jakarta. This is also a form of sacrifice that we make for our country,” she said.

Another journalist, Eka Prasetya Kusuma Negara from Jawa Pos Radar Bali, Indonesia, admitted that this year’s Aidiladha felt rather different because she could not be with her family or carry out the korban ritual that she had planned earlier in his hometown.

Eka said she had intended to perform the korban ritual in Bali after making preparations for nearly a year, but her assignment to China forced her to postpone the plan.

“When it is required by work, we must carry it out. That is the sacrifice I am making this Aidiladha,” she said.

She added that although Aidiladha would have been more meaningful if celebrated with family, the experience of gathering and sharing meals with fellow journalists throughout the three-month programme in China would remain a beautiful and valuable memory for her.

Meanwhile, for the writer, this year’s Aidiladha carried profound meaning.

“Celebrating Aidiladha far from home carries a different meaning. Everyone makes sacrifices in different ways.

“As a journalist, I see it as a responsibility that must continue to be carried out wherever I may be, in order to bring stories and voices to the public,” she said.

--NNN