The May 13^th 1969 incident was a wake up call for all of us. It was time to  strategise for equity in governance of our country and a time where that strategy included sending us to Egypt to study medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.  Once we returned to  Malaysia, our contributions became closely allied to the establishment of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia which opened its doors in 1970 and Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1979. Many of us ended up in establishing various departments in these two Universities while others established themselves in the Ministry of Health and the private sector. How effective was that strategy? Were the objectives of that hijrah eventually realised? We need to take a look at each of our roles and our collective narratives in order to seek the answer.

L to R. Mumtaz A Hadi, Mohd Nor Gohar Rahman, Khairudin Sidon, Zainol Harun and Raja Sharifudin with a fighter jet from the Six Day War in Egypt

On a tank from  Six Day War

The 1970s were also eventful years in Egypt – major changes were affected in virtually all aspects of the society – bringing economic, political and social implications. In October 1973, Egypt under Sadat, initiated the October War to liberate Egyptian territory that had been under Israeli occupation since the Six Day War of 1967.  Some of us were already in Egypt at that time and all of us were influenced to some extent by the upheaval in Egypt. This was also the time of the Islamic brotherhood and  for many of us,  it coincided with a realisation of our own Islamic values and principles. All these changes within Egyptian society also had a role in shaping what we have become.

At the time that we were sent to Egypt, Malaysia was a booming nation, just reaching adulthood and a mere 20 years since independence. It was the  dawn of modernisation in Malaysia This new freedom was reflected in each of us. With it came new cultures, attitudes, and norms. Malaysians embraced them and made them their own. We were part of that era. What we learned during that time and what influenced us in both Malaysia and Egypt, are part of what we are today. This is why our stories need to be told. This is why our contributions need to be recorded.  Our children and grandchildren should be able to tap into our collective wisdom and make this country even greater, for the coming years will  be even more transformative than we can possibly imagine.