3 organizations collaborate for cultural night

When senior Zuhaili Izzuddin came to IU in fall 2007, the Malaysian Student Association had almost disappeared from campus. Now Izzuddin is treasurer of the group and said she is working to rebuild the Association and remind people the group still exists.

The Malaysian, Thai and Singapore student associations will collaborate to sponsor the first SingMaThai Cultural Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Willkie Auditorium. The event includes performances, a fashion show, cultural booths, games and food.

Keeradit, or “M,” Hirunyasiri, president of the Thai Student Association, said the presidents of the three groups thought of the idea to help each other to create one large event. Also, the countries are geographically close, and the event will allow attendees to explore the groups’ similarities.

Performances include a live Thai band from Purdue, a traditional Thai instrument solo and a traditional Malaysian dance. Malaysian Student Association members will also demonstrate a traditional wedding.

“When it’s a wedding, they will be like king and queen of the day,” said Izzuddin, who added that the best man and maid of honor are there to take care of the bride and groom.

Freshman Atiqah Khidhir, secretary of the Malaysian Student Association, said the wedding was important to include because it is a big part of the culture and is very big and colorful.

At the end of the night, the three groups will all participate in a fashion show to display both traditional and modern dress.

Hirunyasiri said the event is a mix of cultural and modern aspects, and the booths will show people what they could see if they visit Thailand today.

“We want to let people know how we are traditional and modern at the same time,” Izzuddin said.

All three of the associations will have games that represent their cultures. Izzuddin said members played the games in school.

Sophomore Diane Leong, secretary of the Singapore Student Association, said one game that continues to be popular is cat’s cradle.

“It crosses over to Western culture,” said Leong. “We’re multicultural.”
The event also includes traditional foods from local restaurants.

Izzuddin said the goal for the night is to inform people about the groups and teach about the cultures.

Hirunyasiri said he wants students to educate themselves about different areas of the world with which they are unfamiliar.

“Our goal is to make our name recognized in the IU community,” said Malaysian Student Association President Abdul Raof Abdul Latif.