Showcasing Malay martial arts: The Malaysian engineering students at Beijing Jiatong University giving a silat demonstration in Beijing. — Bernama
BEIJING: Being far away from home has been no obstacle for a group of Malaysian students to express their patriotic spirit and promote the nation’s cultural heritage on the world stage.
Describing it as a responsibility of Generation Z, the university students, who are pursuing their studies in engineering at Beijing Jiatong University, set up a martial arts group to showcase the uniqueness of the Malay martial arts to the people of China when they were invited to perform in various events here.
Mechanical engineering student Nik Mohammad Azri Nik Naharudin, 22, said he and his seven friends want to play a role as agents in promoting the uniqueness of Malaysia’s cultural diversity on the international stage.
“There are not many Malay students furthering their studies in Beijing and we are the first group sponsored by the Public Service Department here.
“Previously, there was a group of Malaysian Chinese students who often performed the lion dance – now we want to introduce the Malay heritage and the uniqueness of our country, which has various cultures and races,” he told Bernama.
His seven friends who share the same zeal are Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin Nordin, Johan Haiqal Hilman Roslan, Norizwan Aliff Mohd Nahar and Che Wan Syahiran Amrin Che Wan Saupi, all aged 22, as well as Muhammad Aqil Nor Zamani, Muhammad Aliff Aqma Amran Zaidy and A. Thavirat Sukhphasin, all aged 24.
According to Nik Mohammad Azri, although not all have the foundation and background in martial arts, it was not an obstacle for them to fulfil the mission.
“(Actually), only Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin and Che Wan Syahiran Amrin have the foundation and background in silat – the rest of us learn a lot from them both,” said Nik Mohammad Azri, who took about a month in rehearsals before performing for the first time at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri banquet held at the Malaysian Embassy in April.
The group, who also performed at the Rasa Malaysia Festival at a shopping mall here earlier this month, also intends to introduce other aspects of Malay culture such as the zapin dance, joget and traditional musical instruments.
Meanwhile, Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin, who is their “silat coach”, intends to add more steps in the next performance.
Mohd Nuruddin Syakirin, who started learning silat when he was eight years old, said they had the opportunity to demonstrate silat in public four times in Beijing since they started studying in the country in February.
