Multi-Racial Dikir Barat To Add Splendour To Citrawarna

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- A multi- racial dikir barat performance will add splendour to the Citrawarna Malaysia 2010 procession at the Merdeka Square on May 22. A musical form originating from Kelantan, dikir barat involves singing in groups, often in a competitive setting and without instrumental accompaniment. The 1Malaysia dikir barat will be made up of about 5,500 participants and is set to enter the Malaysia Book of Records as the biggest multi-ethnic participation in a traditional activity, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said about 6,000 people would take part in the 1.5km procession starting from Jalan Raja near the Merdeka Square and passing through Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Isfahan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman before returning to Jalan Raja. The theme of this year's celebration, the "Colours of 1Malaysia" focuses on tourism products rather than cultural aspects, she told a news conference on Citrawarna here Saturday. Among tourism products that will be highlighted are homestay, food and fruit festival, beaches, mega sales and Malaysia as a shopping haven. Ng said a total of 160 guests from 21 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Australia and Asian countries, have been invited for the occasion. Singers Karen Tan, Haziq AF, Bob AF, Fabulous Cats and Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim will grace Citrawarna which is expected to be attended by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

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