Malaysian students studying at Beijing Jiatong University have taken it upon themselves to promote their nation’s cultural heritage and express their patriotism even while being far away from home. This group of university students, who are all pursuing engineering degrees, have established a martial arts group to showcase the uniqueness of Malay martial arts to the people of China. They were invited to perform at various events in China. Mechanical engineering student, Nik Mohammad Azri Nik Naharudin, expressed that it is their responsibility as Generation Z to promote Malaysia’s cultural diversity on the international stage. The group is sponsored by the Public Service Department, making them the first group of Malay students to study in Beijing.
Prior to their performances, a group of Malaysian Chinese students often performed the lion dance. Now, this new group aims to introduce the Malay heritage and the diversity of Malaysia’s different cultures and races. Nik Mohammad Azri, along with his seven friends, shares this zeal. The group consists of Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin Nordin, Johan Haiqal Hilman Roslan, Norizwan Aliff Mohd Nahar, Che Wan Syahiran Amrin Che Wan Saupi, Muhammad Aqil Nor Zamani, Muhammad Aliff Aqma Amran Zaidy, and A. Thavirat Sukhphasin. Though not all of them have a background in martial arts, they are dedicated to fulfilling their mission.
Nik Mohammad Azri revealed that only Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin and Che Wan Syahiran Amrin have a foundation and background in silat, a form of martial arts. The rest of the group has learned a lot from them. After a month of rehearsals, they performed for the first time at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri banquet held at the Malaysian Embassy in April. In addition to silat, the group also intends to showcase other aspects of Malay culture, including the zapin dance, joget, and traditional musical instruments. Their most recent performance was at the Rasa Malaysia Festival held in a local shopping mall earlier this month.
Meanwhile, their “silat coach” Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin plans to add more steps to their next performance. Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin has been learning silat since the age of eight. Since their arrival in Beijing in February, the group has had the opportunity to demonstrate silat in public four times.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
