{
  "id": 5288824,
  "title": "In rare sight, PAS Youth muktamar opens with multiracial drum show",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/in-rare-sight-pas-youth-muktamar-opens-with-multiracial-drum-show-5288824",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T07:51:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/03/in-rare-sight-pas-youth-muktamar-opens-with-multiracial-drum-show"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The PAS Youth's annual muktamar, an event of the Islamic party, commenced on a unique note today with a multiracial drum performance that marked a rare sight at the assembly. The performance was a harmonious blend of traditional drums from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Thai cultures, orchestrated by troupes from various parts of Kelantan. This was markedly different from past muktamar openings, especially considering PAS's identity as a Malay-Muslim party. The performance seemed to be an effort to enhance PAS's image among non-Muslim communities, according to a PAS central committee member.\n\nAhmad Marzuk Shaary, a PAS central committee member, emphasized that cultural differences should not obstruct cooperation and close ties but should instead be viewed as strengths, particularly when different communities find common ground. He illustrated his point with an analogy: just as the Chinese drum and Malay ubi rebana, with their distinct sounds and playing styles, can create a harmonious rhythm when played together, so too can people of different cultural backgrounds unite for a shared purpose.\n\nThe event was inaugurated by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and youth leaders from various Perikatan Nasional components and Umno, indicating a broader coalition behind the occasion.",
  "summary": "This was a departure from previous muktamar openings and appears to be another attempt to boost PAS's image among non-Muslim communities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "In rare sight, PAS Youth muktamar opens with multiracial drum show",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/in-rare-sight-pas-youth-muktamar-opens-with-multiracial-drum-show",
        "published": "2026-09-03T07:51:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}