The Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, with its beautiful architecture, provides a fitting venue for the Islamic Fashion Festival.
THE Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) is set to display its innovative and bold Islamic culture and attire at two of Pahang’s iconic buildings - the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum in Pekan and Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Museum complex in Kuantan.
It will be held on Aug 5 and 6, respectively, with over 100 costumes to be showcased by 10 designers from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Apart from holding IFF in five-star or six-star hotels, historical buildings and sites have always been a favourite choice of founder Datuk Seri Raja Rezza Shah Raja Aman Shah.
Raja Rezza Shah said he loved the rustic charms of Pekan, its history and heritage buildings.
Ahmad Farid said the idea to hold IFF in Pekan was mooted during the show in Jogjakarta in 2022.
“During a break while on a working assignment a few years ago in Pekan, I took the opportunity to see the town.
“It is unassuming and rich in history and traditions. I am impressed with the museums – tastefully done and well presented.
“These are important elements and worthy of international attention,” he added.
He said models would be adorned with jewelry flown from Hong Kong and it would be interesting to see non-Muslim designers interpreting their ideas into Muslim attires.
He also believed that IFF is a strong visual communication tool.“It can help address misconceptions about Islam and highlight the different costumes and headgears of Muslim women worldwide.
“It allows me to make my small contribution in representing Islam, transpired after the Sept 11 incident and the Islamophobia that follows,” he said.
He added that he had been criticised for doing IFF but IFF was done after much research and consultations with scholars.
“I have received feedback on how IFF helped change views on Islam with a memorable one involving the famous actor, Robert De Niro.
“He came up to me after a show in New York in 2010 and said he was glad to have attended as he had thought Muslim women had to only wear black attire,” he added.
He also thanked Pahang State Museum director Datuk Ahmad Farid Abd Jalal for agreeing to co-host the event.
Ahmad Farid said the idea to hold IFF in Pekan was mooted during the show in Jogjakarta in 2022.
“Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who was then the Permaisuri Agong, agreed as it will promote Pekan internationally.
“The event also falls on Aug 5 which is her birthday, so it will be a celebration for her and that of Islamic fashion, culture and heritage,” he added.
He said the Pekan museum was a fitting location as it was previously the Kota Beram Palace, adding that it had gone through various renovations but the beautiful architecture remained intact.
“Pekan is a living museum, very relevant in celebrating and elevating the Malay and Islam identity.
“It is exciting to see this being portrayed in a different but modern platform like IFF; its interpretation of Malay princess Tun Teja’s classic beauty essence weaved into the sophistication of today’s present world,” he added.
He also said in conjunction with Tunku Azizah’s birthday celebration, she would officially launch the Tunku Azizah Royal Craft Village in Pulau Keladi, Pekan.
Art lovers will get a treat as well and see the works of painter Syed Thajudeen Shaik Abu Talib titled Weaving Love and Faith at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kuantan on Aug 6.
