Bracing for a highly-anticipated gathering

After weeks of nerve-wrecking efforts in getting their participation, some 25 journalists from Arabic-speaking countries were finally registered for a week-long familiarisation trip to Malaysia starting May 1. They will attend the workshop jointly organised by BERNAMA and UNESCO with the strong support of the Malaysian Information Ministry. Its main objective is to seek a common ground in their approach to covering events and issues concerning Islam. From email exchanges with them, many were eager to visit Malaysia. Yemeni Yahya Arhab, for instance, said he was looking forward to attend the workshop to enhance his reporting knowledge and establish new contacts. Making his first overseas trip, Arhab said he had heard much about
Malaysia, describing it as "the most beautiful country in Asia".
Egyptian journalist Hayam Hammam said she too was looking forward to the programme to know more about Malaysia."It is really my dream to visit Malaysia, such fascinating country which I heard a lot about it and about its people," she said in her email message.
Apart from Yemen and Egypt, the other participants were expected from Algeria, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Sudan, Iraq and Turkey.