KUCHING: A large gathering of 5,000 people did not miss the opportunity to participate in a picnic-style breaking-of-fast event at Padang Merdeka here.
Under the scorching sun yesterday (Apr 9), families set up their picnic mats and shades as early as 5pm to break fast later in the evening.
Unique to Sarawak, non-Muslims also joined their Muslim friends to break fast.
They were part of the crowd who attended the one-day ‘Juh Berambeh Sungkei’ programme which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) and Persatuan Kebajikan Mahabbah Kuching.
As part of the event, there were also song performances; the crowd was entertained to the ‘Tazkirah Muzikal Ramadan’.
The organisers said event, among others, was to strengthen unity among the various ethnic groups.
It was also aimed at providing a platform for the locals to meet and get closer to the state leaders.
Earlier, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah who was also present, took the opportunity to mingle with the crowd.
“This is the first time such an event is held by MYSED and in collaboration with other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“I am truly glad to see the huge turnout and the people’s eagerness to break their fast together at Padang Merdeka,” he said.
Meanwhile, many of the visitors when met hoped more picnic concept events could be held in the future.
Later, Abdul Karim distributed ‘bubur lambuk’ prepared by the Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) Satok branch, to the visitors.
The event also involved the police, People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), Social Welfare Department, Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, Sarawak State Health Department, Kuching City North Commission (DBKU) and Kuching Resident’s Office.
