The Forum Perdana will be held in conjunction with the Islamic Arts Festival (iFEST) 2023 at the closing ceremony and the festival's culmination on 12 August, at 8 pm at the Sri Kenyalang Hall of Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB).

A spokesman for the organisers said the Prime Forum will feature Youth Development Lecturer Principal of KOSASS UPM Associate Professor Dr Mohd Mursyid Arshad who acts as moderator.

The panel members were motivational experts as well as media personality Amin Idris and celebrity and independent preacher Shamsul Ghau-Ghau.

"Entrance is free and members of the public are invited to attend to get a variety of knowledge presented," he said.

The festival themed 'Islamic Arts Catalyst of National Wellbeing' will include several activities in the form of competitions, including khat writing, tilawah al-Quran, storytelling, religious lectures, contemporary nasyid and archery.

"All of these competitions offer cash prizes, trophies and participation certificates to the winners," he said.

He said, iFest2023 to encourage the community, especially the youths, to engage in healthy activities and thus to make a better personality.

"It also provides space for the community to highlight talents through the competitions participated," he said.

Hence, he said, iFest2023 is expected to promote Sarawak and Bintulu as tourist destinations as this participation is open to all including from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

Date of Input: 28/07/2023 | Updated: 01/08/2023 | lanz