KUALA LUMPUR: Twin brothers, students of Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), have made the nation proud after winning gold in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024.
Anas Rayyan Shaifuddin and Amir Rayyan are Form Two students at MCKK, and wrote their essays during their short trip to London to visit their sister who was studying there.
The twins expressed their excitement on the recognition and shared how they poured their hearts into their writing.
"Winning this award gives us the drive to explore new ways of expressing ourselves through writing," they said in a joint statement.
Both Anas and Amir had joined other essay competitions before, but was their first entry into such a prestigious contest.
Their essays, themed around family values, unity, and cultural heritage, managed to capture attention among thousands of other submissions.
Anas' essay, titled 'A Culinary Journey with Tok and Me', shares his experience of learning to cook traditional Malaysian dishes from his grandmother.
He wrote that making delicious treats required adding love and care at every step of the process, and said his grandmother taught him the importance of patience, creativity, and the value of uniting people through food.
Meanwhile, Amir's essay - 'A Malaysian Tale of Family and Unity' - stressed the importance of family gatherings during celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
He vividly depicted laughter, shared meals, and traditions that strengthen family bonds, emphasising that these values were crucial for fostering unity within the Commonwealth.
"To me, such traditions are a symbol of strength and unity, an idea that I believe can resonate throughout the Commonwealth," Amir said.
This year's competition theme revolved around family values, kindness, cooperation, respect, and dignity.
Anas and Amir also expressed their gratitude to their English teachers for their guidance and encouragement throughout their journey as young writers.
They said they hope their story would inspire others to explore storytelling and help maintain values such as compassion and respect in today's rapidly evolving world.