Friday 22 Aug: A Day Of National Mourning For MH17 Victims

By Erda Khursyiah Basir and Nur Aimidiyana Zuher KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Today is the day of national mourning, with the remains of 20 MH17 victims finally arriving back home. The remains will be received with full honour at the KLIA's Bunga Raya Complex in Sepang in a brief ceremony before being handed over to their respective families. It is also when Malaysians regardless of their ethnic background or faith will come together and observe one minute silence as a mark of respect for the MH17 victims. The 20 are among the 43 Malaysians on the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines plane that was shot down in east of Ukraine on July 17 during a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. In total 298 people lost their lives in the tragedy. UNITED IN GRIEF A lecturer with the Law, Government and International Studies College at, local university of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Mohamad Faisol Keling said on the other hand, the tragedy has united the Malaysian society in grief. "The loss of MH370 and the shooting down of MH17 received the sympathy of all Malaysians regardless of their background. Though they may not be related to the victims, Malaysians are united in their feelings and in extending moral support to the families." The MH370 and MH17 are national tragedies not only affecting the airline, crew and passengers but also the nation as a whole. "This tragedy has highlighted the fact in face of adversity, Malaysians are willing to set aside their differences and put the national interest ahead," he said to Bernama. On March 8, Malaysia Airlines' flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board vanished from the radar about one hour after take off and its fate still remains a mystery. Mohamad Faisol noted that the public have also contributed positively by providing the support and appreciating the efforts taken by the government and then leaders in seeking a closure to the episode. A DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING Speaking on the Day of National Mourning on Friday (today), the deputy head of the Politics, Security and International Affairs Cluster, Prof Dr Jayum Jawan noted that the day goes beyond a mark of respect for the MH17 victims. "The day will bring together Malaysians in sharing their grief on the loss of their compatriot regardless of their back ground," he said. Jayum also opined that as Merdeka Day (Independence Day) is around the corner, the Merdeka celebrations should be toned down to show Malaysians were sympathetic over the double tragedy. A HISTORICAL DAY Sharing on the same subject, a private sector employee Mohamad Hafiz Mohamed Nassir, 26, noted that the national day for mourning reflected a dark chapter for the nation. Mohamad Hafiz said come Friday, he and his colleagues would be donning black outfit and a black songkok (head dress) and would recite the Yassin. "The others too can show their sign of respect by observing silence. If the Dutch can do it, why not Malaysians known for their unity do the same," he asked. Kumaran Rajamoney, a media practitioner, also opined that the day of national mourning on Friday should serve as a reminder on why it is important to live together in unity as Malaysians. Kumaran, 29, noted that the Indians in the country would certainly be participating in the national day of mourning and would be holding or encouraging special prayers for the victims of MH17. A STRONG UNITY Meanwhile, a staff at local secondary school of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Batu Unjur, Klang, Farah Norliana Abdul Rahman, 28, hoped that the double tragedy would open the eyes of Malaysians in remaining united and not fragmented along racial lines. With a strong united front during adversities, Malaysia will emerge more respectable in the eyes of the foreigners. "As a citizen, I'm equally distressed and symphatise with what has happened. All that we can do is pray for them," he said. Malaysians are invited to observe one minute silence as early as from 10.30 am Friday as a mark of respect for the MH17 victims. --BERNAMA