The next time you are in the vicinity of Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, do spend some time do explore the area as it has many hidden gems.

Its uniqueness has not escaped the attention of the Tourism Ministry, with Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, launching Zoom! Jalan Masjid India carnival there recently.

Kombo Budaya Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur provided the entertainment at the launch.

Food stalls were set up offering popular fare from the various states such as assam laksa, cendol, ais kacang, pisang goreng and rojak.

Azalina also tried her hands at making teh tarik, the favourite drink among Malaysian. This strategic area has a rich history and a treasure trove of interesting sights and sounds, if one takes the time to discover them.

For instance, its bazaar has 150 stalls selling all manner of goods, ranging from food to jewellery.

There are also textile shops and those specializing in Indian jewellery, which make them a must-visit for those planning for their weddings.

During Deepavali and Hari Raya, Masjid India will turn into a sea people searching for the must-haves for the celebrations.

There is also the Saturday night market where a variety of food and fresh produce are sold.

Street artists is another unique feature of Masjid India. There are a few who provide portrait-sketching for a small sum.

Masjid India is not only about shopping. It has many historical buildings as neighbours, such as Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur’s oldest mosque, which was built in 1863;the Central Market, Sultan Abdul Samad building and Dataran Merdeka.

Azalina announced that her ministry would be asking for more funds from the government for tourism purposes.

The priority would be on the maintenance of tourism sites and facilities in the states and training of tourist guides.

In view of the global downturn, the target this year was to attract 20 million tourists, compared with 22.05 million last year.

Azalina said the ministry would aggressively promote the Mice (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions) market, Malaysia My Second Home programme and medical tourism.

Source: http://visit-malaysia-year.blogspot.com/2009/03/masjid-india.html

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