sarawakbahai.org

16 July 2008 No Comment

In conjunction with the Hari Wanita 2000 several programs were organised by the The Women’s Affairs Department (HAWA) under the Prime Ministers Department, at The Kuala Lumpur “Suria Twin Towers fot three consequative days from the 27th to 28th August 2000. The theme for this year’s Hari wanita is “Nur-Bermula denganmu”(The Light - It begins With You.) Several organisations took part in the events. Among them was The Bahá’í Office for Advancement of Women (BOAW).

Within six weeks the Bahá’í youth put together a one hour presentation with the Theme “From Chains To Change” in the Celebration of Wanita 2000. They performed several items namely, a dance called Breaking The Chain Prejudice”, a Step Dance, “The Change-The Light of Unity, a song from the Choir group and a Zipoppo Show called “The Love Chain-If you love me…”

On the 28th August 2000, The Prime Minister of Malaysia YAB Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad officiated the Hari Wanita 200. This event was almost identical to the one mentioned above in the form of a “Soap Box” in an open area by the side of the Twin Towers. This presentation however, was performed for the Young Women’s Commission of the National Council, together with six other participating NGO soap boxes. The Bahá’í Soap Box was on YOUTH. As our Prime Minister passed the Soap Box area, the Bahá’í presented him a book, “Advancement of Women - A Bahá’í Perspective” by Janet A.Khan and Peter J.Khan.

The Bahá’ís also assisted at the Soap Box for Religion and Culture and coordinated a large portion of readings from the Holy Writings and prayers.

Five thousand bookmarks depicting the Wanita 2000 symbol and with a quotation from Bahá’í Holy Writings, were distributed during the three days events at the Twin Towers. The quotations were a mixture of the English, Chinese and Malay languages.

In leading To the Hari Wanita 2000, several other events took place such as:

A two day conference on 17-18th August, which discussed women’s issues as inputs for the Eighth Malaysian Plan and the Women’s Development Action Plan. Five Baháí representatives participated in this event.

A Dinner with DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Siti Aishah (Her Majesty the Queen) was held on 24th August. Twenty Bahá’ís of wich nine were men were present.

A special event officiated by the Honorable Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz, held at the Mandarin Oriental on the 26th August saw some of Malaysia’s most dynamic women come forward to share inspiring stories of their life and their struggles in winning recognition for women. Eleven Baha’is attended and during the afternoon tea break, the Minister was presented with the special bookmark.