Mass "Buka Puasa" in Jalan Raja and Dataran Merdeka this Ramadan weekend

Muslims are invited to a mass "buka puasa" or breaking of fast in Jalan Raja and at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur every weekend this Ramadan in conjunction with the Ramadan Festival 2013.

The "Jom Buka Puasa" public-oriented cultural programme from 6pm-8pm will see the serving of dates, Malay cakes and the famed bubur lambuk prepared by the Kampung Baru Jamek Mosque on July 13-14, July 20-21, July 27-28 and Aug 3-4 for breaking of fast.

During the programme, there will a Ramadan talk and reciting of Quranic verses by young male and female readers.

The premier event will be on Aug 4 with the addition of a religious lecture by Ustaz Haslin Baharim, Konsert Rohani and Maghrib, Isyak and Terawih prayers.

The Ramadan Festival 2013 will also see a Nasyid and Marhaban competition, Tadarus Al-Quran, Ziarah Sahur, Muslimah fashion show, Ramadan Youth Camp, and Nasyid and Raya song writing competitions.

Themed "The Hand That Gives Is Better Than The One That Takes", the festival is organised by the National Culture and Arts Department with the cooperation of the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Deputy secretary-general of the Tourism and Culture Ministry, Datuk Abdul Ghaffar Thambi said the festival which was entering its second year would have more spiritual activities to bring Muslims closer to their religion and among themselves.

The Ziarah Sahur programme will involve local celebrities like Jamal Abdillah, Shaheizy Sam, Yana Samsudin and Wawa Zainal who will be handing out essential items for Ramadan to the less fortunate.

The Ramadan Youth Camp will be held from July 26 to 28 at the National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur. The Nasyid and Raya song composing competitions, open to professionals and amateurs, offer the first-prize money of RM10,000 while the five consolation-prize winners will get RM5,000 each.