19/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

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Unique, interactive prayer mats for children launched

Rapid KL On-Demand van service expanded

government is targeting eight million tourists this year, with a projected tourism receipt of RM11.2 billion in efforts to strengthen the industry ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. He said more than 1.77 million visitors were recorded as of March 2025, with 72% made up of domestic tourists while the rest were from overseas such as China, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and India. “Data shows the state recorded the highest number of domestic visitors in Malaysia for four consecutive years, with 34.5 million visitors last year.” KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid KL’s On Demand van service entered a new phase starting yesterday, with its coverage expanding to 12 additional zones across Shah Alam and Klang in Selangor. Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, said in a statement that the expanded service would include Persiaran Dato Menteri-KTM Shah Alam, KTM Padang Jawa-Terminal 17, KTM Padang Jawa-Seksyen 7, U12 Cahaya Alam, Bandar Baru Klang and KTM Klang-Batu Belah. The service will also be available in Taman Summit, KTM Klang-Teluk Gadong, Sri Andalas, Klang Jaya, Bandar Bukit Tinggi and Bandar Puteri. “The expansion of the van service is part of Prasarana’s ongoing commitment to strengthen urban mobility networks and improve accessibility to public transport, particularly for first-mile and last-mile connectivity.” Acting Prasarana Group president and CEO Amir Hamdan said the move reflects the company’s goal of bringing communities closer to a reliable and inclusive public transport system. “We want to make sure that every city dweller has access to mobility solutions that are efficient, affordable and suited to their daily needs, especially in areas previously underserved by conventional bus routes.” In a related development, the company said the Desa Pinggiran Putra-Dataran Gemilang Putrajaya service zone would be merged with the MRT Putrajaya Sentral PICC route and renamed MRT Putrajaya Sentral-PICC and Desa Pinggiran Putra to offer a more integrated and comprehensive service. The Rapid KL On-Demand van service guarantees a seat for each ride and is available daily from 6am to 11.30pm with a promotional fare of just RM1.00 per trip. Bookings can be made easily via the Rapid On-Demand app downloadable from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. For more information on service zones and usage guides, visit www.myrapid.com.my. – Bernama

o Sejadah weaves together art, education, spirituality and hands-on learning experience

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

SLIM RIVER: In a bid to make early spiritual education more engaging for children, Malaysian lifestyle brand The Bayan Collection has launched what it describes as the world’s first Colour Your Own Sejadah – an interactive prayer mat that children can colour while learning about sacred Islamic landmarks. Unveiled at a vibrant launch event at Baitul Al-Hilmi in Slim River, Perak, the initiative forms part of the brand’s broader 100,000 Sujuds Initiative, a global campaign aimed at inspiring 100,000 children to approach prayer with joy, love and deeper meaning via creativity, storytelling and faith. Each prayer mat features illustrations of sacred sites, including the Kaaba, Masjid Al-Aqsa, Hagia Sophia and Masjid Quba and is accompanied by non-toxic markers and a lesson card that explains the significance of each site. Designed for children as young as three, the mats weave together art, education, spirituality and a hands on learning experience. “This is an initiative to serve the

The interactive prayer mats that children can colour while learning about sacred Islamic landmarks. – PIC COURTESY OF THE BAYAN COLLECTION

ummah beyond the barriers of language and race,” said Haaziq Ali, one of the co-founders of The Bayan Collection. “We’re just a bunch of everyday people trying to do something we hope is beneficial for our community.” The launch was officiated by Pertubuhan Anak-Anak Yatim and Maahad Tahfiz Baitul Al-Hilmi founder Datuk Dr Ahmad Faris Abdul Halim, and brought together children from nearby schools. Each child

stakeholders from across the region, the Borneo Creative and Culture District is seen as a key platform to strengthen the regional arts and cultural ecosystem.” The event is expected to open doors for broader collaborations, direct cultural exchange and international exposure that could elevate local talent to greater heights. For more information, visit the National Art Gallery’s official website at www.artgallery.gov.my. – Bernama more than just a product. “It’s a prayer. A small gift with a big intention – to bring joy, meaning and a love for Allah into every little heart.” The Colour Your Own Sejadah is one of several faith-based offerings by The Bayan Collection, which also runs korban aid programmes, Islamic storytelling kits and other tools designed to help families connect with the pillars of Islam in joyful, meaningful and accessible ways. For more information visit www.thebayancollection.com.

received his own prayer mat and took part in a colouring competition. Adults also joined in, experiencing the product firsthand and engaging in faith-based storytelling sessions with the children. Originally started as a Ramadan project in Malaysia and Singapore, Colour Your Own Sejadah has since grown into a global initiative. It is now available in Malaysia, Singapore, Trinidad and Australia. Ahmad Hasan Al-Hilmi, another co-founder, described the project as

Kota Kinabalu to host arts and culture programme KUALA LUMPUR: Kota Kinabalu is set to become the regional centre for arts and culture when the National Art Gallery hosts a large-scale Borneo Creative and Culture District programme for three days beginning Sept 26. through activities that encourage participation from various sectors. “Throughout the three-day event, there will be various engaging activities including an artisan arts market, art demonstrations, institutions and creative industry players.

“In addition to strengthening the tourism sector and boosting the creative economy, this programme also seeks to raise public awareness of the role of arts and culture in shaping identity and fostering national unity.” The event will also serve as a platform for fostering unity through strong collaboration among various parties, including grassroots communities, youth, educational

exhibitions by arts and cultural institutions, community engagement programmes, sharing sessions as well as musical and cultural performances featuring artistes from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.” “As a pilot programme that unites

According to a statement by the National Art Gallery, the programme aims to establish an inclusive and dynamic creative and cultural hub by bringing together elements of heritage, culture and innovation

Piano Land cruise ship from China to boost Selangor tourism KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s tourism sector is expected to receive a new boost when the Piano Land cruise ship from China makes the Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) its home port from the fourth quarter of this year. Tourism Selangor CEO Chua Yee Ling said it is expected to boost the arrival of international tourists directly to the state, thus opening up new potential in the state’s maritime tourism, Bernama reported. proves that the terminal has suitable and competitive facilities for the growing cruise ship tourism segment,” she said after the Surprising Selangor Media & Influencer Hi-Tea 2025 event on Thursday. “Currently, tourists need to take a taxi to the South Port Terminal Jetty before boarding a boat to Pulau Ketam. With a direct route from PKCT, tourists from cruise ships can go straight to the destination upon arrival. PKCT has also upgraded a special jetty for this purpose.” Chua said short-term tourism packages around Klang and Shah Alam are being developed. Visit Selangor Year 2025, targeting more than 30,000 local visitors. The event, which will bring together 30 exhibitors such as Farm Fresh, Selangor Fruit Valley, GL Play, Tourism Malaysia and the Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation, will also feature the launch of the official video and song Selangor Kan Ada!, performances by Aizat Amdan and Lah Ahmad and creative workshops.

Chua said Tourism Selangor is designing an exclusive package to take tourists directly from the terminal to Pulau Ketam without any transit, allowing them to enjoy unique experiences such as walking through mangrove swamps, seeing eagles and visiting the kelong (manmade wooden platform) on the island.

She said her team would be organising the Selangor Travel Fair 2025 on July 26 and July 27 at the Central Market in conjunction with

Selangor Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the state

“The Piano Land ship has a capacity of around 2,000 passengers and the selection of PKCT as the home port