Putrajaya Corporation organises the 12th edition of Festival Ramadan Putrajaya, featuring the famous picnic-style iftar
Renowned as a tourist destination in Malaysia, Putrajaya offers a compact experience featuring eco-tourism, health and wellness tourism, Islamic tourism, and more. Its strategic location near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) enhances its accessibility for travellers.
During Ramadan, Putrajaya gained prominence for hosting the Festival Ramadan Putrajaya, a vibrant event organised by Putrajaya Corporation. Now in its 12th year, this eagerly anticipated festival aims to position Putrajaya as a central hub for selling iftar delicacies and Eid essentials, fostering the spirit of Ramadan among all Malaysians.
“Festival Ramadan Putrajaya has become an icon for the residents in and around Putrajaya, the Klang Valley, and sometimes even beyond, especially during the weekends. People come to relax or stay overnight to experience the atmosphere in Putrajaya. It truly feels like a festival with sparkling lights, offering various activities. We also provide a playland with joy rides for children to enjoy,” said the Licensing Director of the Urban Services Department (Licensing Division) of Putrajaya Corporation, Jeffri Mustapa.
He shared that the approach was intended to build relationships among visitors, residents, and Putrajaya Corporation as the local authority. The festival attracts a significant crowd, even on weekdays, and has become a regular feature in Putrajaya’s tourism calendar.
PICNIC-STYLE IFTAR
The Festival Ramadan Putrajaya 2024 comprises five primary components: Ramadan Bazaar, Anjung Syawal, Kiblat Walk, Laman Iftar, and Ramadan Food Trucks. These activities take place at various locations, including Dataran Putrajaya Presint 3, Putrajaya Corporation Complex, and five Ramadan Bazaar locations situated in Putrajaya Presint 3, Presint 9, Presint 11, Presint 14, and Presint 16. Among the highlights is the popular picnic-style iftar.
“The Festival Ramadan Putrajaya is not limited to Muslims; it is open to all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, and foreign tourists. No entrance fee is charged. In 2023, we observed a relatively high attendance from non-Muslim visitors and foreign tourists who wanted to experience the atmosphere of the lively and festive Ramadan Bazaar in Putrajaya and subsequently have a meal together during the iftar time at the Putrajaya Corporation Complex. This is a very positive development, and the Corporation welcomes and invites everyone to come to the Festival Ramadan Putrajaya this year to experience this unique atmosphere firsthand,” Jeffri elaborated.
“One of the advantages at Dataran Putrajaya and Laman Iftar of the Putrajaya Corporation Complex is that we have provided basic facilities and infrastructure for the convenience of visitors. These include spacious and comfortable prayer areas, restrooms, outdoor cafe-style seating with tables and chairs, an information centre, a bank, and, most importantly, ample and abundant parking spaces.”
ATTRACTING OVER 600,000 VISITORS
The annual Festival Ramadan Putrajaya is complemented by various activities, enriching the overall experience for attendees. These include stage performances featuring spiritual activities such as religious lectures and nasheed performances.
Jeffri said there were arrangements for tarawih prayers at Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin led by invited Imams from abroad. The mosque also distributes 1000 free iftar packets daily. Various government, private, and non-governmental agencies participate in distributing diverse forms of contributions. Additionally, awareness campaigns are organised for the public, including initiatives like the “Bring Your Bag from Home” campaign, cleanliness campaigns, used oil sales campaigns, “Balik Kampung” campaigns, and many more.
“For the record, the Festival Ramadan Putrajaya in 2023 attracted more than 600,000 visitors and garnered media coverage of up to 90 million advertising value equivalency (AVE). As the local authority of Putrajaya, Putrajaya Corporation sincerely hopes that the Ramadan Festival in 2024 will attract the public, whether from the Klang Valley or beyond, including international tourists. Our target is to achieve 800,000 visitors for Festival Ramadan Putrajaya 2024.” – RnR
Another highly anticipated event during Ramadan in Malaysia is Iftar@KL. The public, including local and international tourists, can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of this unique experience, which takes place in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, right in front of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad and Dataran Merdeka.
Organised by Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), this event offers a distinctive occasion for visitors to partake in an open-air iftar along Jalan Raja.
Scheduled for March 23-24, March 30-31, and April 6-7, 2024, Iftar@KL unfolds from 8.00 am to 11.00 pm, providing a comprehensive experience beyond culinary delights. The festivities feature various spiritual and community activities for participants, including diverse offerings from food trucks, ‘bubur lambuk’ distribution, tadarus al-Quran, congregational prayers, enlightening Ramadan talks, spiritual performances, Zakat payment services, and more.
Everyone is invited to join Iftar@KL 2024 for an unforgettable Ramadan experience, capturing the essence of community, spirituality, and the joyous traditions of breaking fast in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
