Dinner @ Four Seasons Hotel & Follow-Up Session with Dr.Albakri

Dinner @ Four Seasons Hotel.
New Maghriby Jubahs for Syababs, modest black Jubah/Abayas for Akhawats, polished shoes and colour-coordinated tudungs. You name it! All in the sake of Ikraam-mudh-Dhuyuuf.

On Saturday, 11th July 2009, Dmasyq members were honored with the dinner invitation by none other the respected Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Yeo and his wife, Mrs. Jennifer Yeo.

The Dmasyq family gathered at Mauqif Abu Nour and was taken to the Four Seasons Hotel where our guests, namely Mr and Mrs Yeo, Dr.Albakri and MFA officers stayed during their short visit to Damascus. Right after the Maghrib prayer, the Dmasyq family was ushered into the Banquet Hall where we were shown to our seats.

The ceremony was opened by a welcoming speech by our emcee of the day, Dr. Albakri. He then called Bro Hafiz- our very own in-house Qari’- to recite the beautiful verse 13 from Surah Al-Hujuraat. Mr. President, Fadhli Ayub, was soon invited to give his short speech regarding how we felt very privileged with Mr. Yeo’s willingness to spend his precious time with us. He shared with our guests the preparation we took in making this gathering a memorable one-both for us and the guests. Dr.Albakri then requested Mr. George Yeo to give his speech.

Mr. George Yeo generally shared his thoughts on Syria- how he thinks Syria is totally different from what he has seen on TV,as the media often twisted entirely the images of Syria and Syrians. The people, he said, are in fact friendly and thoughtful. Mr. Yeo experienced this warm gesture himself when the Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Bader Eddin Hassoun invited Mr. and Mrs. Yeo to his house during their visit to Aleppo.

In Aleppo, Mr. and Mrs. Yeo were brought to the grand mosque where Syeikh Bader Eddin delivered the Friday sermon. Knowing that Mr. Yeo is a Catholic, Syeikh then brought him to meet the grand cardinal archbishop of Aleppo. Mr. Yeo regards the Mufti as someone who is so simple yet can touch everyone’s hearts whenever he goes. And this, he said, even had an effect on the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Hsien Leong, until he even mentioned Syeikh’s name during a parliamentary session. Mr. Yeo ended his speech by giving some fatherly advice on how we must search and seek ‘Ilm here in Syam and thus contribute actively to the muslim society in Singapore and the country as a whole.

Dinner then ensued. Buffet style, spoons were soon heard clinking against the plates as we tucked in to the scrumptious meal. During the dinner course, Mr. and Mrs. Yeo personally came to each table to interact with the students. We comfortably exchanged stories, our life experiences here in Syam, and even Facebook profiles with Mrs. Yeo!

Next up,photo-taking!!!
The ceremony came to an end when the Syababs gave a last nasyeed for our respected guests.
The Dmasyq Family went back home with memorable experiences and yes! with full stomachs!!! Alhamdulillah!
Infomedia team and all Dmasyq family members wish to express our sincere appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Yeo for extending us this dinner invitation. Not forgetting a million thank yous for Dr. Albakri and MFA officers for spending their invaluable time with us.


Follow-up Session with Dr.Albakri.
Two days after our tummies are filled with the mouthwatering meals at Four Seasons Hotel,our ears were then soothed with fatherly advice from our yearly guest, Dr. Albakri. Not only that, Dr.B informed us of all the current issues going on back home.

Mainly, Dr.B, whom Mr.George Yeo called his travel companion (lucky you Dr.B!), shared with us his experiences meeting various ministers here in Syria.The results of his meetings with them managed to bring smiles on most of our faces and gave us some hopes on certain things.

However, Dr. B kept reiterating that we should not get our hopes too high. This is because, political ties between Singapore and Syria are still new and political treaties between any 2 countries take times to be drafted over and worked upon.

Politics aside, Dr.B was also bombarded with questions both from the Syababs and Akhawats. From the Joint Madrasah Scheme,the H1N1 Flu to the Economic Downturn back home, Dr.B managed to answer our questions and clear our doubts.

The session was ended with a dinner of Nasi Mandi!

Dmasyq would like to extend our deep-felt gratitude towards Dr.B whose motivation has inspired each and every one of us. May Allah shower His blessings, maghfirah and rahmah onto Dr.B and his family always. May all of Dr. B’s efforts in helping Dmasyq be accomplished biznillahi taa’la! Allahumma Yassir Umuurahu Ameen ya Rab!