By Siti Khadijah Sultan
On February 15, 2025, the Michigan Malaysian Students Association (MiMSA) hosted its
annual Malaysian Cultural Night (MCN) at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. This year’s
event featured a heartfelt and thought-provoking play, “Dear Wanita” (Dear Women),
preceded by a short film and a captivating Zapin dance, a traditional Malay
performance.
The play unfolded through the intricate stories of five Malaysian women—Nora, Salmah,
Juwita, Carina, and Ashwin—each navigating different aspects of womanhood,
feminism, motherhood, and gender inequality. Their journeys reflected the diverse and
often unspoken struggles of Malaysian women, bringing to life narratives that are rarely
seen on stage.
MCN is a love letter from MiMSA members to the campus community, and perhaps no
one explains it better than our co-creative director, Thohir Zuhdi:
“Dear Wanita is a culmination of our love for 2000–2010s independent Malaysian
films that we grew up watching. Among these films, we realized that the ones with
a lasting impact on us were those that encompassed real and uniquely Malaysian
experiences. Drawing inspiration from the works of Umi Salwana Omar and the late
Yasmin Ahmad, we created an original play that tells the story of five women who
represent the many different roles Malaysian women play: mother, daughter,
activist, career woman, and best friend. We wrote this play in an effort to open a
conversation about the underrepresented experiences of Malaysian women—some
of which are considered too taboo to even speak about within the Malaysian
community. We hope that our performance not only highlights the many contrasts
of the female experience but also explores the intersections that transcend our
countries’ borders. Above all, we believe that the purpose of this event remains the
same: to share the beauty of our culture and occupy space unapologetically.”
Following the performance, attendees were invited to enjoy a spread of famous
Malaysian dishes, including Nasi Lemak, Satay, Kuih Ketayap, and more. These were
served in the Psychology and Mathematics Atriums, where guests could relax and
engage in conversation. Seeing attendees—many of whom were experiencing Malaysian
food for the first time—discussing the play, sharing their thoughts, and embracing the
culture was an incredibly rewarding sight.
Organizing a large-scale event with over 400 attendees was no small feat—it took
months of dedication, teamwork, and problem-solving. To bring MCN 2025 to life, we
embraced the BLI leadership habits of “Work to Learn” and “Build a Team.”
More than just planning an event, we were constantly adapting, problem-solving, and
growing—both individually and as a team. Every challenge we faced along the way only
strengthened our commitment to making this vision a reality, and in the end, MCN’s
success was a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience, and shared passion.
At the heart of this effort was a strong, dedicated team, divided into specialized groups,
each led by committed directors. Our scriptwriters and creative directors began working
as early as Summer 2024, ensuring every detail reflected the depth and authenticity of
our stories. The funding team worked tirelessly to secure financial support, allowing us
to keep the event free and accessible to all attendees. The food and logistics team
coordinated with vendors, secured venues, and handled countless behind-the-scenes
details to ensure a seamless experience. Meanwhile, the multimedia and publicity
teams designed eye-catching promotional materials and worked hard to spread the
word across campus, ensuring we played to a full house on the big night.
Our props team put in long hours to craft intricate set pieces, transforming the stage
and making every scene feel real and immersive. At the center of it all was our director,
who brought all the moving pieces together, ensuring everything flowed seamlessly into
one cohesive, powerful production. And, of course, at the heart of it all was the cast,
who rehearsed week after week for five months, pouring their passion into every scene
and breathing life into the story we set out to tell.
To the Malaysian community here in Michigan, MCN is more than just a cultural
night—it’s a space where we get to share our stories, celebrate our heritage, and be
unapologetically ourselves. We hope that the commonalities in our stories make
audiences feel a sense of belonging, while our differences spark curiosity,
conversations, and lasting friendships—long after the final curtain call.
Thank you, BLI, for empowering us to embrace cultural humility and for supporting us in
creating a space where stories, identities, and traditions are honored and shared. MCN
2025 was a labor of love, and we hope that everyone who attended felt that love through
our performance, our food, and the unbreakable bonds we continue to build.
Until next year—Terima kasih dan jumpa lagi! (Thank you and see you again!)
