Report on

“the Official Reception in conjunction with the 50^th Anniversary Celebration of the National Day of Malaysia”,

at Rumah Malaysia in Tripoli, Libya

(30 August 2007)

In conjunction with the 50^th Anniversary of the “Merdeka” Celebration on 31^st August 2007, a National Day reception was successfully hosted by H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Zulkifli b. Yaacob and wife, Y.Bhg. Datin Jamilah bt. Hj. Mohamad Yusof at the Malaysian Ambassador’s Official Residence (a.k.a. “Rumah Malaysia”) on 30^th August 2007 (Thursday). More than 250 guests, consisting of Libyan officials, alumni from Libyan MTCP participants and Libyan students who have studied in Malaysia, representatives of Libyan press and community leaders, foreign Heads of Mission and diplomatic officials and spouses, as well as selected representatives of Malaysian community in Libya attended the auspiciously festive reception during that full-mooned summer night.

2.         Due to the proximity of Malaysia’s National Day celebration with the celebration of Libya’s Revolution Day which falls on 1^st September, during which all foreign diplomats and Libyan officials will be occupied attending the celebration by the host government that normally begins on the night before (i.e. 31^st August), the Embassy had decided to hold the National Day reception earlier to assure the availability of most of the intended guests to attend. While the fasting month of Ramadhan this year is expected to begin on 13^th September 2007, based on previous years’ experience, the Revolution Day celebration will traditionally carry on for most days of the first 2 weeks of September, making the entire month of September and October unsuitable for organising the National Day reception. Notwithstanding that, the reception can be considered prompt since Tripoli is 6-hours behind Malaysian time. Hence, in real time, the 8.00 pm reception organised on the eve of 31^st August 2007 was actually held 2-hours past midnight of 31^st August 2007 in Malaysia.

3.         The National Day reception started officially at 8.00 pm with the arrival of guests at the entrance of Official Residence, welcomed by the hosts, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Zulkifli b. Yaacob and wife, Y.Bhg. Datin Jamilah bt. Hj. Mohamad Yusof, as as well as Mr. Khairil Hisham b. Hj. Ahmad, Second Secretary/ Head of Chancery and wife, Mrs. Shahrizad Mohd Sharifuddin on the red carpet. All HBS and their spouses, along with several Malaysians were dressed suitably in colourful national dresses – the men in their Baju Melayu, while the women in their Baju Kurung. Other Malaysians came in their Batik. Among the attending Guests-of-honour were H.E. Mr. Mohamed Omar AlBarani (Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister of Asian Affairs), Dr. Mohamed Fathalla Zaidi (Dean of Islamic Call College), Sheikh Al-Amin Mohamed Qinnewah (famous Libyan Islamic Scholar and Tilawatul-Qur’an Judge) and Eng. Muftah S. Rwimi (Director of Investment Bureau of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) – representing Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Sherif, the Secretary General of WICS). The first guests arrived as early as 7.50 pm, and from then on, a stream of guests continue to arrive at the main gate until way pass 9.30 pm.

4.         Throughout the reception, the entire Embassy staff was busy at their respective pre-assigned stations with Mr. Omar Musa (Third Secretary of the Embassy), Mrs. Siti Zaleha Timin and Ms. Khadijah Md. Yunus constantly attending to the many guests and enticing them to sample the various offerings at the MalaysiaKitchen. At the same time, an informational table was prepared near the main entrance with free copies of Malaysian booklets, pamphlets and brochures made readily available for any interested guest to know more about the country, especially tourism-related materials in conjunction with “Visit Malaysia Year 2007”. Several promotional video presentations were also displayed for public viewing – making the reception more lively with the cheerful sights and sounds of the “Golden Jubilee” celebration.

5.         During the reception, the guests were treated to a variety of both Malaysian and Libyan dishes. Two (2) separate buffet lines were set at the corners of the Official Residence. The Libyan dishes, which is a mixture of both Arabian and Mediterranean food, are served on the East Wing of the Rumah Malaysia. The list of the local dishes included 7 types of mixed salads, barbecued sheep, Arab rice with lamb, mutton shawerma, grilled chicken and mutton, and lamb’s liver. On the West Wing, an array of multi-cultural Malaysian cuisines was served under a big tent for the “Malaysia: The Truly Asian Kitchen (MalaysiaKitchen)”. The nicely decorated MalaysiaKitchen was filled with the following dishes:

ü      Fried Mee Hoon

ü      Popiah (Spring Rolls with Chilli Sauce)

ü      Roti Jala (with Beef Curry)

ü      Pulao Rice (with Vegetables Curry)

ü      Chicken & Mutton Satay (with Fresh Onions,

Cucumber, Nasi Impit and Peanut Sauce)

ü      Kuih Pulut Serunding

ü      Kuih Chara Berlauk

ü      Kuih Lapis

ü      Kuih Kaswi

ü      Cucur Kodok Pisang

ü      Drinks (Bandung Syrup and Iced Lemon Tea)

6.         In total, it was estimated that more than 250 guests attended the Malaysian National Day reception this year. Although some came late or had to leave early due to other dinner functions in Tripoli, it was obvious that the invited guests place great importance in attending the reception organised at Rumah Malaysia. All of them explicitly expressed their pleasure and enjoyment with the organised National Day reception and generously complimented the hosts for the joyous party as they left Rumah Malaysia. Some of the attending foreign diplomats also praised the Malaysian dishes featured at the MalaysiaKitchen, while others took home copies of the promotional materials made available during the reception. Conclusively, the Malaysian National Day reception held this year at Rumah Malaysia was indeed a successful event for the Embassy in particular and Malaysia in general – befitting the Golden Jubilee celebration.