10 interesting facts about Malaysia you need to know before this years Malaysia Knowledge Retreat
Fact 1:
Tanjung Piai, at the lower tip of the Malay Peninsula, is the southernmost point on the Eurasian landmass. So in theory, you could drive there all the way from Nordkapp in Norway – the northernmost location of western Europe without ever having to take a ferry.
Alternatively you could book your flight today and join us on the 3rd of April 2020 for this years #MalaysiaKnowledgeRetreat
Fact 2:
“The coastline of [8th century] Malaya was cosmopolitan wherein merchants from Malabar, Arabia and Africa lived and interacted with the indigenous Malay population and Chinese mandarins.” — Prof. Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, PhD
Fact 3:
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were ranked as the world’s tallest building between 1998 and 2004. How tall? Very tall – they each reach 1,483ft (451.9m) at their uppermost pinnacles.
Fact 4:
As a powerful and expansive kingdom, the Sultanate of Malacca provided a common culture for the surrounding region that neighboring states attempted to adopt. This unified culture helped spark the spread of Islam throughout the region. Adopting Malay culture and converting to Islam were so connected that it was said when someone became Muslim, they masuk Melayu, meaning they “entered the realm of the Malays”. — Firas al-Khateeb, Lost Islamic History
Fact 5:
The currency of Malaysia is ‘Ringgit’, which is a dated term for ‘jagged’ in the Malay language and refers to the serrated edges of silver Spanish dollars widely used in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today £100 can be exchanged for 532.72 RM and $100 can be exchanged for 408.99 RM. Below is a list of some of the costs of traveling in Malaysia:
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) = 2.00 RM
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) = 3.00 RM
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant = 10.00 RM
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course = 60.00 RM
We will be providing a shuttle service from Kualal Lumpur International Airport to our venue for all of this year’s Knowledge Retreat participants. More information here.
Cost of living data taken from: Numbeo
Fact 6:
Malaysia has a national dish! Nasi Lemak (pictured below) usually consists of different curries and is plated alongside a special type of rice made with coconut milk. In this years Knowledge Retreat students and families will be able to spend the evenings exploring the huge variety of street food stalls and restaurants that Kuala Lumpur has to offer.
Fact 7:
Traditional Malay poems are heavily influenced by Islamic teachings. An example of one such poem translated into English:
What lies within the Malay teaching?
Is that the Islamic law and the way of the Prophet are but
true knowledge.
What is said to be Malay education?
Would sharpen one’s sight,
Would clear one’s hearing,
Would cleanse one’s heart,
Would complete one’s character,
Would put to right one’s behaviour.
Fact 8:
In total Malaysia has seven silver and four bronze Olympic medals for badminton, diving and cycling. Malaysia is also known for Silat, a form of martial arts which in it’s earliest form can be dated back to well over 1,000 years ago.
In keeping with the Olympic theme, participants in this years Knowledge Retreat can take advantage of the football/ sports facilities at our 31 acre venue – the prestigious Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia (ILIM).
Fact 9:
What may be the world’s richest unrecovered treasure trove from a sunken ship rests somewhere on the sea floor in Malaysia’s Strait of Malacca. The Portuguese ship Flora de la mar (Flower of the sea) was returning home loaded with what was then the largest treasure collected by the Portuguese navy when it sank in December 1511.
Fact 10:
Malaysia has a large number of strange world records but this one probably tops it: The world’s largest number of people dressed as cats (2017).
Maybe we can give Malaysia another world record on this years Knowledge Retreat? If you have any ideas let us know! And if you are interested in joining us in this years Knowledge Retreat simply complete the form below and we will get back to you.
Complete this form to register your interest for the Knowledge Retreat 2020.