Kuala lumpur: Hot Air Balloon rides were among the activities that attracted a large stream of visitors to the 2025 Sumud Nusantara Carnival at Dataran Merdeka today. Visitors were able to ride the tethered hot air balloon for a fee of RM20 for adults and RM15 for children, from late afternoon until tonight, and again from 2 pm to 5 pm tomorrow.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Dr Ahmad Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby, Director of the Malaysiaku Bersama Gaza Gathering and Selawat Night and Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Islamic Organisations Consultative Council (MAPIM), said the event was one of the main activities to attract the public to the carnival. “In addition, visitors can also try the Gaza Time Tunnel VR innovation for free and enjoy food at the festival,” he said when met at the carnival here today.
He also invited the public to attend the carnival, which runs until tomorrow, to support the Palestinian people by backing various efforts displayed through the provided exhibitions and stalls. “I saw that people coming to this carnival were not only Malays but Chinese and Indians. It shows that the Palestinian cause transcends all. So we hope that anyone who plans to come will use public transport, wear white, put on a scarf, bring their children, bring a mat, and also a prayer mat and an umbrella,” he said.
The public is invited to attend the Malaysiaku Bersama Gaza Gathering and Selawat Night at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow, dressed in all white, to voice Malaysia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s struggle and for peace in Gaza. Expected to gather over 100,000 participants from across the country, the event will be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will deliver a keynote address and opening speech.
The event will also include various spiritual activities, including a grand solat hajat, the recitation of Qunut Nazilah, a special qasidah performance, and a symbolic gesture for the launch of the Sumud Nusantara delegation for the Gaza Flotilla. The carnival, jointly organized by MAPIM and Cinta Gaza Malaysia, is patronised by the Prime Minister as the patron of Sumud Nusantara and supported by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Naim Mokhtar, and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The program is the culmination of the 2025 Sumud Nusantara Carnival, which began yesterday and ends tomorrow.