ARAB TOURISTS SHOULD SPEND RAMADAN IN MALAYSIA, SAYS MINISTER

From Mohamad Bakri Darus

DUBAI, May 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is inviting tourists from the Middle
East to spend a memorable Ramadan fasting month in the country.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said they would not have any problem to fast
in Malaysia.

"We receive many visitors during Ramadan as we have a lot of facilities, and
there are mosques at every corner for people to pray," she told Bernama here.

Dr Ng is leading the Malaysian delegation at the Arabian Travel Market 2011.
A total of 87 Malaysian government and private organisations are taking part in
the event.

She observed that during Ramadan, a number of imam from prominent mosques in
Saudi Arabia would be invited to come to Malaysia to lead the Tarawih prayers.

"Tourists will get to savour the experience of fasting during daytime,
breaking of fast, performing Tarawih and having Sahur (a meal before fasting)
with local people," she said.

Tourism Malaysia has come out with a brochure to promote Ramadan in Malaysia
among foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia on Monday bagged the "Most Supportive NTO
(national travel organisation) Asia and Australasia 2011" award from Emirates
Holidays, the holiday arm of Dubai's Emirates Airline.

Dr Ng said the award, won by Tourism Malaysia for two consecutive years, was
in recognition of the agency's contributions in increasing the number of
visitors for the Malaysian market.

Malaysia recorded 228,668 tourist arrivals from the Middle East last year
and aims to welcome 235,000 this year.