KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — The inaugural Malaysia Halal Lifestyle Festival (MHLife) 2026 is targeting 300,000 visitors and 250 exhibitors during the three-day event at Dataran Karnival, Shah Alam Stadium, from Oct 23 to 25.

Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) director-general Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan said about 30 per cent of the targeted exhibitors had confirmed their participation so far, while the ITC would seek the cooperation of the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) to coordinate participation from each state.

“MHLife 2026 is a premier Muslim-friendly lifestyle and tourism festival that brings together various Malaysian offerings, including food, modest fashion, arts and culture, heritage, tourism, shopping and entertainment in one destination.

“The festival is designed to offer an interactive experience that goes beyond the traditional bazaar concept,” he told Bernama at the MHLife 2026 pre-launch ceremony officiated by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture deputy secretary-general (Tourism) Chua Choon Hwa at Istana Budaya here today.

The festival, which offers free admission from 10 am to 10 pm, will feature 16 pavilions representing 13 states and three federal territories.

Mohammad Faisal said the traditional Mak Yong arts performance, recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will be among the festival’s main attractions.

At the same event, ITC, represented by Mohammad Faisal, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), represented by its honorary secretary Datuk Megat Shahrul Azman Abas, witnessed by Choon Hwa.

The collaboration focuses on increasing the recognition and market value of Muslim-friendly tourism, strengthening industry capabilities through training, and jointly implementing promotional and industry engagement initiatives. — Bernama