Syed Ahmad with Penang CM

Indian-Muslims celebrate culture

GEORGE TOWN: Come Thursday, the area surrounding Kapitan Keling Mosque in Lebuh Buckingham will be abuzz with activities, starting with the Indian-Muslim Culture Celebration. The celebration is in conjunction with Penang Heritage Day, which is part of George Town Festival 2011.
The Indian-Muslim Culture Celebration, which will be held for three days from Thursday, has various interesting programmes including the Indian-Muslim Museum Portraits of Penang, Heritage Ride — a bicycle ride within the George Town area with riders in traditional costumes, Heritage Drawing and Colouring Contest For Kids, Longest Non-Stop Teh Tarik and Roti Canai Demonstration, a performance by snake charmer Amjad Khan, Indian-Muslim Culture Show and free tasting of traditional Indian-Muslim food.
“These programmes are meant to promote the development of an Indian-Muslim community and culture, whose heritage, prosperity and wellbeing are important to the cultural diversity of the inner city of George Town,” said Kapitan Keling Mosque management committee chairman Meera Mydin Mastam at the announcement of the celebration.
Also present were George Town Festival 2011 programme director Joe Sidek, festival programme contributor Dr. Ooi Cheng Ghee, Indian-Muslim Culture Celebration 2011 programme coordinator Mohamed Rizwan Abdul Ghafoor Khan and celebration programme assistant-director Mohamed Rizwan Sharbudin.
Meera said the organising committee hoped the celebration would strengthen the role of Indian-Muslim youth as custodian and interpreter of their heritage and historic environment. “The local community and tourists will also gain better knowledge of Indian-Muslim culture and heritage,” he said.