| July 4, 2005 |
| Soka Gakkai Malaysia Youth Participate in National Event |
On July 2, at the invitation of the Ministry of Tourism, some 1,000 Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) youth participated in the official launch of Citrawarna Malaysia (Colors of Malaysia) 2005 at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. The SGM youth, dressed in colorful native costumes, performed in the opening number titled "Birth of a Nation," which showcased the arrival to Malaysia of early Chinese and Indian immigrants who brought with them their respective cultures and traditions that have now melded into Malaysian society with its diverse ethnic communities. His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, his wife, Tengku Fauziah, Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi and government officials, together with some 20,000 citizens and invited guests from 32 countries, attended this year's Citrawarna.
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| Lighted umbrellas create beautiful patterns on the stadium grounds |
SGM has performed in this annual event since 1999, when the cultural extravaganza was first introduced. Besides Citrawarna, SGM has participated in opening ceremonies for various SEA (Southeast Asia) Games and SUKMA (Malaysia Games), as well as other national and local cultural events.
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| Graceful fan dancers |
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Fireworks herald the launch of Citrawarna Malaysia 2005 |
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| Ships brave the choppy sea |
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A sea of golden fans spreads across the stadium |
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| Dancers weave intricate patterns with their arms and feet |
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Beautifully costumed performers await their cue |
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| Youthful performers express their exuberance on camera |
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