By Danial Yusof
GOMBAK, 26 November 2014: Global Ummatic Festival 2014 that took place at the Cultural Activity Centre (CAC) Â from 24 until 27 November would not have probably meant much without the Ummatic Exhibition. The festival had indeed attracted a lot of attention from within and outside the campus. Many students took time to visit the exhibition which started at 9.00 a.m until 11.00 p.m. It gave visitors opportunity to learn more about the participating countries in terms of respective culture and heritage. The exhibition was open to all, and not restricted to students only.
The Ummatic Exhibition brought a huge number of booths from various countries and each booth represents one country. The main aim was to show the various countries’ culture to the visitors. The exhibition included countries from Asia like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and many more. Plus, there were also countries from Middle-East and Europe like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Turkey. Each country showed their cultures and traditions so that all visitors and students will gain and learn more about the culture itself.
There were several students who took charge at their own countrys booth. They volunteered themselves to serve at their own so-called ˜country. Â At the Malaysia booth, all preparations were done by the Persatuan Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia of the International Islamic University Malaysia (PSSCIIUM). They managed to set up the booth nicely and there were many traditional games and clothes to show to the visitors.
One of the committee members said that, œThe exhibition is important as we want others to know and appreciate our cultures, traditions and customs. Besides, we also want to create awareness for the young generation about Malay cultures that nowadays were almost forgotten among them. In addition, we want to promote the kingship or monarchy system of Malaysia to others.
“The exhibition itself managed to get peoples attention as there were many students who came to the exhibition just to see various kinds of culture and artefacts portrayed by each of the booth,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the visitors of Ummatic Exhibition, Aizat said: Â œIt was a great event because it is difficult for me to see all these kinds of traditions and cultures unless we visit each one of the country. It was a successful job done by the team and I hope this kind of programme will run annually.***