IPOH: It was an unforgettable experience for a Malaysian couple from Kedah to set up a stall and participate in a Ramadan bazaar in Najdiyah Istiraha, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
For Sarinah Abdul Hamid, 61, and her husband, Su'aini Abdullah, 63, this life experience would always be cherished and remembered as they were able to introduce Malaysia's delicacies to others.
Sarinah said after Saudi opened its door to tourists, she and her husband arrived in Riyadh on March 8 to perform their umrah.
"We were planning to perform umrah only but since it was close to the month of Ramadan, we thought it would be great if we could celebrate Ramadan in Makkah, as this is also our first time here.
"We will be staying here until after Hari Raya Aidilfitri," she said adding that they have been staying with their son, Suhazly, 33, who works at a hospital in Riyadh, and his wife, Nur Adilah Hashim, 35.
Sarinah said when his son told them there was a Ramadan bazaar organised by the Komuniti Rakyat Malaysia Riyadh (KMKR), they immediately took the opportunity to introduce Malaysia's traditional delicacies.
"We immediately said yes as this would be our opportunity to make new friends and to know more Malaysians who are staying here," said Sarinah who hails from Guar Chempedak, Kedah.
Having expertise in making traditional delicacy, kuih bengkang since 1997, Sarinah said back in her hometown, she had never joined Ramadan bazaars to sell her kuih.
"Back then, I have never sold my kuih in any Ramadan bazaar but my husband and I had our own small stall that was located near an express bus station in Guar Chempedak.
"However, due to several factors, we decided to stop selling kuih bengkang there in 2017 and I only make it if people placed orders," she said when contacted today.
Sarinah said when she got the opportunity to sell delicacies in the Ramadan bazaar in Riyadh, she decided to make cucur udang (prawn fritters) with kuah kacang (peanut dressing), and bengkang roti, fried noodles, and fried kuey teow.
"Praise be to Allah, we managed to sell all the food and people love it, even the locals here. So many people came to our stall and it reminds me of those days when my husband and I had to sell kuih to raise our children," she said.
Meanwhile, Suhazly said that he was happy to see his parents enthusiastically participating in the Ramadan bazaar sales in Riyadh.
"I am happy to see the smiles on their faces. This is their first time coming to Riyadh and having to participate in the Ramadan bazaar here, would be a new experience for them," he said.