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Rabat — Malaysia’s embassy in Rabat welcomed guests today to the annual Malaysian Food and Cultural Festival, an event that reflects the growing ties between the two nations.
Morocco World News (MWN) spoke to Ambassador Dato’ Shahabudeen Adam Shah about the significance of the celebration.
The ambassador expressed his pride in hosting the celebration, noting that it draws Moroccans and members of the diplomatic community together to experience Malaysian culture firsthand.
“This is a very good opportunity for Malaysia to showcase our food, cuisine, and culture in Morocco,” the ambassador said.
The event forms part of Malaysia’s broader diplomatic efforts to strengthen people-to-people connections with Morocco.
Both countries maintain close bilateral relations, and cultural exchanges like the food festival help deepen these bonds beyond traditional government-to-government channels.
Growing regional partnership
The festival comes as Malaysia and Morocco expand their cooperation within a wider regional framework. Morocco became the first African country to obtain ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status in 2023, which allows it to take part in ASEAN meetings in certain sectors and creates opportunities for collaboration in trade, education, tourism, and investment.
Earlier this year, in August, six Southeast Asian embassies in Morocco, including Malaysia, organized the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Bazaar and Cultural Festival in Rabat to celebrate the 58th ASEAN Day.
During that event, Ambassador Daito Shahabuddin told MWN that he looks forward to enhancing cooperation not only between Malaysia and Morocco but also between ASEAN and Morocco.
Malaysia also celebrated its 68th Independence Day in Rabat in September, hosting a diplomatic reception that signaled the country’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Morocco across multiple fronts.
Culinary diplomacy
The festival offers attendees a taste of Malaysia’s diverse culinary traditions, which blend Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences. Visitors sample authentic dishes while learning about Malaysian customs and cultural practices.
“Malaysia and Morocco enjoy very close bilateral relations, and this is one way both countries can further strengthen relations in terms of people-to-people relations and exchanges between both countries,” Ambassador Dato’ Shahabudeen explained.
The ambassador thanked all participants for attending and expressed his hope that everyone would enjoy the festivities.
The annual event has become a fixture on Rabat’s cultural calendar, drawing larger crowds each year as interest in Malaysian culture continues to grow in Morocco.
