The Refugee Festival aims to build bridges between the refugee community and Malaysian society at large.
Yet instead of welcoming or helping them, many nations enact hostile asylum policies preventing them from obtaining the help they require. There will also be performances by refugee children and Malaysian artists, street musicians and a rapper, as well as a bazaar featuring painting, henna work, food, arts and crafts.
Most importantly, Mahi said, festival visitors wil be able to hear first-hand the aspirations, views, hopes and challenges of refugees.According to her, there were currently almost half a million refugees living in Malaysia, each possessing valuable skills, and rich culture and traditions. Festivals like this therefore played an important role in building bridges between refugees and the larger Malaysian society, to reveal what was potentially possible through mutual collaboration.