PERWAKILAN and Famous Haji Samuri Satay Kajang at Budapest International Food Bazaar, Sunday, 3 April 2011.
1. The advent of the 2011 spring season will be remembered for a long time for members of PERWAKILAN Budapest, due to the huge success and overwhelming response of their participation in the Budapest International Charity Food Bazaar last Sunday 3 April 2011. This year’s bazaar, held at the American International School, Budapest, was more meaningful as the PERWAKILAN had collaborated with the Budapest Muslim Ladies’ Association (BMLA) which grouped the Embassies’ ladies from ten Islamic countries in Budapest, including Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen. Together, they joined hands and presented a united “Ummah” whereby each Embassy had prepared an array of popular national cuisines to be sold at the booth. Apart from the ten embassies of Islamic countries, there were many more booths from other embassies among them were Belgium, Canada, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and US.
2. The BMLA’s booth, which housed the PERWAKILAN Malaysia’s stall, was a clear favorite among visitors, drawing the largest crowd. Approximately more than 1,500 people came for the bazaar. The main attraction was undoubtedly the famous Hj Samuri Satay, especially air-flown from Malaysia. While the delicious aroma of roasting satay enticed people’s attention, they stayed because of the warm welcome by gracious and enthusiastic ladies and staff manning the booth. Apart from Satay (served with peanut sauce, ketupat and condiments), the visitors were spoiled on an amazing array of authentic national gourmets: Malaysian nasi goreng kampong, fried bee hoon and mee goreng mamak; Saudi’s kabli lamb rice, fatayer, basbosa; Egypt’s oriental rice, kofta, kebab, kokos golo, sambosa; Iraqi koba halabi; Pakistani chicken curry, Syrian fattoush, motabal, biklawa; Lebanese koba halabi, shawerma, tabouleh, biklawa and Kuwaiti Semsemyah.
3. Above all, the PERWAKILAN Budapest’s participation not only emphasized their ability to showcase a united front among the Muslim ummah but its role in supporting the Embassy’s efforts in promoting Malaysia’s popular cuisines internationally, as well as Malaysia as a favorite tourist destination. The substantial amount of funds raised from the sales will be channeled to some charitable organizations and the upgrading and refurbishment of the newly purchased Budapest Islamic and Cultural Center.
4. The participation of PERWAKILAN Budapest and the BMLA at the Bazaar, spearheaded by Datin Zubaidah Kamilan, were made successful with the active participation of the ladies from the PERWAKILAN, the Embassies of Islamic countries in Budapest and their spouses. The Malaysian Charge de affairs from Belgrade and his wife were also present to lend their support.