Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) has clarified that the food festival component of the upcoming Sumud Nusantara Carnival 2025 is merely a peripheral feature and not the central focus of the three-day event.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the carnival, which is a collaborative effort between MAPIM and Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM), will be held at Dataran Merdeka from Friday to Sunday. The primary objective is to foster advocacy, solidarity, and awareness among Malaysians regarding the ongoing Gaza issue. MAPIM has outlined that the carnival will provide interactive and educational experiences for visitors, including families, through a diverse range of artistic, cultural, and spiritual activities.
In a statement released on Saturday, MAPIM emphasized, “The Food Fest is only one element in a wider programme. It is not the main focus of the event, and profits earned by traders are voluntarily channelled through zakat and infaq to Gaza.” This initiative aims to encourage attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships and resilience of the Palestinian people in a manner that resonates with Malaysian culture.
Addressing concerns, MAPIM stated that it acknowledges the perspectives of NGOs and individuals concerned about Gaza’s plight but refutes any assertions that the carnival is an exploitation or commercialization of the suffering in Palestine. “We wish to stress that this carnival is a long-term creative strategy, not an exploitation or commercialisation of Palestinian suffering,” MAPIM reiterated.
Furthermore, MAPIM highlighted that the ongoing global advocacy mission of the carnival is supported by three key frameworks of Sumud Nusantara: the Land Convoy, the Carnival and Gathering, and the Sumud Nusantara Flotilla. In this context, MAPIM urged Malaysians to continue showing solidarity with Gaza through prayers, donations, the arts, and volunteer movements.
The slogan ‘Malaysiaku Bersama Gaza’ (Malaysia Stands with Gaza) signifies that every effort, no matter how small, unites Malaysians in the collective pursuit of a free Gaza and an independent Palestine. A key highlight of the Sumud Nusantara Carnival 2025 will be the Malam Himpunan dan Selawat – MalaysiaKu Bersama Gaza (Gathering and Selawat Night – Malaysia Stands with Gaza), expected to attract over 100,000 participants nationwide. The event will be graced by the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will deliver a keynote address and officiate the occasion.