"AS human beings, it is our responsibility to help each other," says Anuar Zain.
"Don't just live for yourself. We must help those around us, family members, neighbours and friends.
"And if and when we can, the help should extend to others, especially those who are vulnerable and helpless," explains the 52-year-old singer who will soon join a humanitarian mission to Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.
The Lelaki Ini hitmaker will be leaving on Monday as part of the Syria Care 13.0 Humanitarian Mission, organised by non-govermental organisation Syria Care.
"Anuar will be the first celebrity to join our mission," says Siti Sakinah Meor Omar Baki, chief executive officer of Syria Care.
She says the two-week mission will include organising Ramadan Kitchen project and distributing basic necessities to Syrian refugees, who are taking shelter at the refugee camps located in the three countries.
"We had planned to work with celebrities for our mission in 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it didn't materialise.
"We, however, feel very fortunate that this year, we are able to carry on with the plan, and it's such an honour for us to have Anuar onboard," she adds.
The collaboration between Syria Care and Anuar happened somewhat spontaneously.
"We initially met to discuss another project. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, the project had to be cancelled.
"Somewhere during our discussion, this mission came up and it seemed like a good idea if I were to join in the mission," recounts Anuar, who never thought that he would someday join a humanitarian mission.
"Perhaps I'm fated to help others this way."
Prepping for the mission
Anuar knows full well that the journey to the three Arab countries will not be easy. He has been briefed by Syria Care on the two-week mission.
"There may be nights when we will stay at hotels and other times, when we may have to spend the nights in other people's homes, or worse still, we may have to take respite just about anywhere safe.
"I don't mind all that at all. Being fully aware the nature of the mission, getting pampered with luxurious accommodation is far from my mind," says Anuar, who is looking forward to the trip.
"Fasting over there can stretch some 17 hours. That's quite an undertaking for all of us.
"I pray that we will all be in good health and that our mission in distributing food, tents and other basic necessities go smoothly as planned ," he says.
Anuar was also shown videos of the destruction in Syria and how they have impacted the survivors, who are mostly women and children.
"The heart-wrenching videos, especially of the young children who lost their limbs and parents, moved me to tears.
"Having seen the atrocities of the civil war in Syria through those videos, I hope to be mentally and emotionally prepared to see them first-hand.
"I want to cheer them up and help bring the smiles back. But at the same time, I hope I don't break down in front of them," he confesses.
For this mission, Syria Care hopes to raise RM225,000 to help 1,000 families from selected camps located in the three countries.
Donations can be made from as low as RM15 (to sponsor breaking of fast meal set for one) to RM150 for a basket of dried food.
To donate, visit the link https://donate.syriacare.org.my/order/form/oderfood/anuarzain.