RAMADHAN FEST IN MALAYSIA

Malaysia is busy in innovating devises to attract international, particular Arab, tourists to its lands. The latest scheme in this series is the first ever Malaysia Ramadhan Summer Festival featuring food, shopping and other fun-filled activities will be held in i-City Shah Alam to attract Middle Eastern tourists during Ramadhan in August. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the i-City in Section 7, Shah Alam, which provides 24-hour tourism products and facilities, would be promoted to encourage Arab tourists to visit Malaysia. Dr Ng said that as Ramadan fell during the Arab summer holidays, the ministry would work with i-City to develop suitable tourism products for the fasting month. “Tents will be erected where tourists can do their late night shopping while enjoying buffet spreads including Middle Eastern cuisine and cultural performances ala Samara festivals,” she told a press conference. She added that shuttle buses would be provided to transport Arab tourists staying in hotels in other areas to i-City. She said the ministry was also talking with the Islamic Religious Development Department to invite renowned imams from Arab countries to lead tarawih prayers in the mosques here.