The 2006 Islamic Fashion show is a remarkable endeavour. For the first time ever, the organizers ably led by Dato’ Raja Rezza Shah have brought together a host of fashion designers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.

The fashion show will showcase clothes that are fashionable, elegant and modest. At the same time, the participating designers will be able to meet with the whole gamut of fashion and retail industry specialists as well as media from around the world. With such a wide range of outfits and accessories using all manner of materials both expensive and reasonable buyers and fashion-lovers will be spoilt for choice.

The Islamic Fusion show is an important step in strengthening a dynamic and rapidly growing market – with its many hundreds of millions of Muslim women. As an Indonesian I am enormously proud that our beautiful and elegant textiles and designs can make such a dramatic impact beyond our borders. The creativity, the excellence and enthusiasm is infectious.

I feel sure that the styles paraded down the runway today will be widely sought after in our diverse and cosmopolitan capital cities of Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. It is my hope that fashion shows like this will enable women to enjoy beautiful clothes – haute couture and sophistication-whilst also maintaining their own culture and beliefs.

The Wahid Institute is honoured to participate in this Islamic Fashion Show as we see Islamic Fashion as both a source of beauty and business. Fashion is a global industry and Malaysia and Indonesia with their predominantly Muslim populations should be playing a far larger role in determining trends in this critical market sector. At the same time I believe passionately that this industry can and will bring benefits to the many millions (most of whom are women) who work in the textile and clothing industry – ranging from large scale factories to small-scale tailoring businesses.

I wish to thank the people who have made this possible,notably Dato Raja Rezza Shah for his vision and enthusiasm in putting together this fashion show as well as Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor for her wisdom and foresight in showcasing something so important and so timely.I speak on behalf of the Wahid Institute when I say we are proud to be strategic partner for this Islamic Fashion Show. To the designers who have been featured in this event, I commend you for your talent and efforts and I hope people are inspired by your work. A warm felt thank you also goes to the rest of the organizing committee who have provided the support to make this event possible,as it no small feat.

Congratulations to Dato Raja Rezza Shah,all his team and sponsors who have supported the Islamic Fashion show


Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

Yeny Zannuba Wahid