Students Group Persada Promotes Malaysian Culture, Food At Madinah Islamic University

By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- The Saudi Arabian Malaysian Students Association (Persada)  branch of Madinah Islamic University is promoting Malaysian culture, food, tourist destinations and educational institutions at the 12th Cultural and Ethnic Festival organised by the university from April 28 to today (May 9).

When contacted by Bernama, Persada Madinah branch president Ukail Ahmad Sanif said the Malaysian products are promoted at the Malaysian booth, and they feature the theme of “balairung” and the Malacca Palace.

Among the Malaysian food prepared by the 200-Persada members are chicken and meat rendang, nasi lemak, air bandung and traditional cakes, such as kole kacang.

Also promoted are Malaysia’s tourist destinations, including the islands of Langkawi and Perhentian, Penang, Genting Highlands, the city of Kuala Lumpur and I-City in Shah Alam.

"Visitors also get an opportunity to try on traditional Malaysian costumes, such as cheongsam for children, baju Melayu, samping, tengkolok and keris, and ethnic Sarawak clothing for the purpose of taking pictures," he said.

Ukail said visitors also asked about educational institutions that offer master's and doctorate level study programmes in Malaysia.

"In accordance with the development of technology, we also provide a virtual simulation device (virtual reality headset) to give a more realistic picture of the atmosphere in Malaysia," he said.

Ukail said based on feedback, the promotional activities attracted visitors’ interest to make Malaysia a holiday destination and to further their studies.

The festival has so far attracted more than 100,000 visitors, he said.

According to Ukail, the Consul-General of Malaysia in Jeddah, Roslan Sharif, inspected the Malaysian parade on Wednesday (May 8) to support the commitment shown by Persada.

The Madinah Islamic University is recognised by the Guinness World of Records as the university with the most international students involving 170 countries and the festival is an annual and main event in the university calendar.

-- BERNAMA