Malaysian embassy celebrates national day

AMMAN — The embassy of Malaysia in Jordan organised a reception on Wednesday, marking Malaysia’s national day, which falls on August 31. 

Before proceeding with her speech, Acting Ambassador of Malaysia to Jordan Wan Faizatul Afzan Ismayatim offered her condolences to Jordan for the recent incident of the building collapse in Amman’s Jabal Luweibdeh.

The theme for this year’s National Day is “Malaysian Family Strong Together”. It refers to the unity and cohesiveness of Malaysians, following two years of “trials and tribulations” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the embassy. 

The National Day “is a time to remember the struggles and sacrifices of the past and look towards the future,” said Ismayatim, during the reception. 

The acting ambassador also pointed out that Malaysia and Jordan have been “close partners” with many areas of cooperation and mutual interests, since establishing their diplomatic relations in 1965. 

“Despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the total trade between Malaysia and Jordan [in the first 10 months of 2021] amounted to $222.7 million,” marking a 73 per cent increase from the previous year, Ismayatim said, noting that Jordan is “Malaysia’s 11th largest trading partner among West Asian countries”. 

The two countries also cooperate in other areas, including agriculture, manufacturing, Islamic banking and finance, health, tourism, defence, education, transport, science and technology, youth and sports, she added. 

There are about 1,606 Jordanian students in Malaysian universities. Also, a total of 482 Jordanians are currently enrolled in the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), which Jordan has been a recipient of since 1986, according to Ismayatim

On the other hand, “there are 1,224 Malaysian students … in various Jordanian universities, and another 610 students will be coming to Jordan later this month to further their studies in various courses such as Arabic language, Islamic studies, Islamic banking and medicines,” she continued. 

Ismayatim also noted that both countries are working on enhancing research collaborationsin academia. 

The Research@EducationMalaysia4U initiative by Education Malaysia Jordan resulted in 81 research projects between 15 universities in Malaysia and eight universities in Jordan. The projects were allocated a fund of 4,920,521 Malaysian ringgit (RM), RM 2,439,501 of which is funded by universities in Malaysia, she said. 

The acting ambassador ended her speech, expressing hope that the “longstanding and comprehensive bond [of the two countries] will endure the test of time” for the benefit of their people and future. 

“I sincerely believe that Malaysia’s relations with Jordan will continue to deepen and grow in years to come,” she added. 

Her speech was followed by a Silat martial art performance by Malaysian students in Jordan, wearing their country’s traditional attire.

The moves of the Silat folk art, which can be traced back to the early Malay civilisation, are largely based on Islamic spirituality, according to the embassy. 

The event was attended by Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh as well as a number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps.