22 August 2013—The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur took on a Filipino-Muslim heritage feel when colorful decorative mamandiongs from Cotabato was hung at its B. Vista Community Hall as it hosted a Hari Raya Aidlfitri for the Filipino-Muslim community and Malaysian friends last August 17, Saturday. 

In attendance were some 80 guests, comprising of officers and members of the Union of Muslim-Filipinos in Malaysia (UMFM), led by its president Jamel Cayammudin, Muslim-Filipino students and community members, Miss Malaysia Kebaya Jean Lee and officers from the Miss Malaysia Kebaya organization. 

Also present was Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Culture Assistant Secretary Atty. Amilizan Mazlan and Dr. Norhata Alonto, wife of former Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Abulkhair Alonto.

 “The season of Hari Raya Aidlfitri is an opportunity for Muslim families to gather together and celebrate with their loved ones, relatives and friends. Through this reception and many other activities, the Embassy manifests its solidarity with our Filipino Muslim community and Malaysian friends.  It is also an appropriate occasion to celebrate the growing unity of Filipino-Muslims in Malaysia,” Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

For his part, Atty. Mazlan thanked the Embassy and the members of the Filipino-Muslim community for its thoughtfulness and solidarity and expressed his support to Post’s initiatives in culture and tourism.

Mr. Cayamuddin thanked the Embassy and its officers and staff for their support to the Filipino-Muslim community in Malaysia, and noted that it is through Post’s efforts that the UMFM was organized.

During the program, a group of Filipino-Muslim students from the Al Hikmah school performed songs, while Mr. Aljur Macala also performed a dayang-dayang dance number.  END