35,000 Join Iftar@kl

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) - A total of 35,000 local and foreign visitors are expected to participate in the six-day Iftar@KL programme, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC),  which began at Dataran Merdeka here today.

The programme, to be held in collaboration with the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Islamic Tourism Centre and Persatuan Seni Budaya Putra, would provide 35 trays of breaking of fast meals for visitors.

JKKN director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said the participation of visitors this year is more encouraging compared to only 30,875 last year.

"This programme, in its 12th edition since its introduction in 2012, will be held for six days this year, namely on March 23, 24, 30, 31, and April 6 and 7.

"This programme aims to illuminate and enrich the month of Ramadan as a month of worship besides fostering ties among communities through spiritual programmes and activities," he told reporters at the event, which was also attended by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan.

Meanwhile, Khairul Firdaus said the ministry is planning to expand such programmes to all states.

"Cultural tourism needs to be further emphasised on how unique our culture is during this holy month besides strengthening social ties.

"This year we have been informed that similar programmes will be held in Sabah and Pahang, while next year it may be expanded to other states," he said.

A visitor from Australia, Alice Darrick, 35, shared her excitement upon participating, arriving as early as 4:30 pm with her husband.

“It’s my first time joining this programme and it was fascinating. There’s a lot of people come with their families to have iftar together,” she told Bernama. 

A  student, Maisarah Batrisyiah Mazlan, 17, said she and her friends never miss the opportunity to join the iftar programme every year.

"I always come to this programme because there are various types of food and iftar dishes available. Moreover, being able to break fast with friends in tourist attraction areas, it feels very enjoyable to break fast together," she said.

-- BERNAMA