Syawal Fest 2023: A Festival of Unity, Diversity & Culture

Time for people from all walks of life to gather and learn about diverse cultures and traditions, as well as enjoy a range of activities such as Raya feast, music, dance, and more.

(Middle) AMCS Advisor Ms. Aida Zamnah Zainal Abidin, APU’s Chief Executive Officer Datuk Parmjit Singh and Yayasan FELDA General Manager Datuk Mohd. Banuri Aris distribute Duit Raya and Raya goodies to those in need.

Syawal is a time when people from all walks of life come together to celebrate their shared values, learn about different cultures and traditions, and make new friends. It is a time to celebrate diversity and inclusion, as well as peace, harmony, and goodwill, and it serves as a reminder that we are all members of one great human family.

Therefore, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) organised the Syawal Fest 2023, which was open to everyone, regardless of age, race, or religion, and celebrated by more than 100 multi-national students from various study programmes.

This festival was organised by APU Malay Cultural Society (AMCS), a group of volunteers who are passionate about promoting unity and understanding and who believe that by coming together and celebrating differences, they can create a more peaceful world.

This year’s Syawal Fest is unique in that the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) also sponsored the event to honour its students, who participated in the festival for the first time with international students led by Yayasan FELDA General Manager Datuk Mohd. Banuri Aris.

AMCS also welcomed 100 underprivileged children from Dar Asnaf Alfateeh Al Idrisiah Orphanage and Welfare Home Ulu Yam, Selangor, and Alkausar Home, Orphans & Asnaf around Gombak, Selangor, to celebrate this event with them.

APU’s Chief Executive Officer Datuk Parmjit Singh, APU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, APU Chief Operating Officer Gurpardeep Singh, APU Chief Financial Officer Mohd. Helmy Norman, APU Senior Director, Student Services Muhammad Anis Ur Rehman, AMCS Advisor Ms. Aida Zamnah Zainal Abidin, AMCS Co-advisor Mr. Muhammad Fadhirul Anuar Mohd. Azami, AMCS President Mohd. Zawawi Abdunrosaeh and members of the AMCS family, APU Senior Lecturer Mr. Ahmad Nadzri Roes, and representatives of the Majlis Belia Kawasan Wangsa Maju (MBKWM), and Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung Wilayah Persekutuan (GPMSWP) were also present.

Weaving ketupat, canting batik, kuih raya testing, and learning how to knot a sampin and wrap a headscarf are among the most popular activities held during this cultural.

In fact, all the guests and attendees were entertained with the Qasidah opening performance by Dar Asnaf AlFateeh AlIdrisiah kids followed by a dance performance by Tun Abdul Razak University (UNIRAZAK) students, AMCS team performance, sampin and headscarf competition and ended with a duet song by Datuk Zaffa Datuk Mustafa, humanitarian activist and manager of Dusun Akin Resort with AMCS Advisor Ms. Aida Zamnah.

For the closing ceremony, Datuk Parmjit, Datuk Mohd. Banuri, Prof. Dr. Ho, Ms. Aida, Mr. Ahmad Nadzri and Mr Fadhirul distribute duit raya and raya goodies to those in need, followed by a prize-giving session for the best dress award and appreciation for sponsors to wrap up this year’s Syawal Fest.