Celebrating Our Differences
Almost 50 years and counting, our country has definitely achieved a lot, thanks to our very great leaders. Despite this, many Malaysians/people I know; including me myself are guilty of complaining that Malaysia still lacks in many areas, which is true in maybe some but not all. To name one, our education system; which to me is just a mess. Training our students to score as many As as possible and attend more tuition classes but still are unable to think for themselves. Despite this, we should be thankful that Malaysia is a peaceful and prosperous country. Unfortunately most of us need to be reminded about this when our neighbours, Indonesia and Thailand are having so much political and civil problems.
What is truly great about Malaysia is that we are a truly rich and diverse nation. But most of us, sometimes forget that we have come a long way to achieve this. Foreigners have always pointed out that our biggest strength lies in our rich and colourful diversity. This time around the double festive celebration for which most of us call it Deeparaya is one example. Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights and Hari Raya Aidilfitri are jointly celebrated due to its close proximity with each other this year. Sure, it is a Malaysian culture to celebrate two festivals together especially in the already well-known Open House concept where sometimes thousands of people from all walks of life; young and old; come and enjoy a meal together. But in most countries, where there is racial divide and civil unrest, it is impossible to have such celebrations.
Recently there was a great uproar on a comment saying that it is wrong to send greeting cards to a person of other faiths for fear of diminishing their own. Strange as it seems, this comment came from a well-educated Muslim who by right should have understood that there is absolutely nothing wrong making friends or fostering closer relationships with people of other beliefs. Isn't this indirectly implying that all this while when Muslims and the other races gather for a double festive celebration, they become less Muslim or they have commited a sin?
In a quote from our Prime Minister....
"Loving one another and respecting neighbours and friends irrespective of their religions are in line with Islamic teachings."
On another front, if a Buddhist is invited to have a meal with a Christian, does that mean that, the Christian would be less Christian and will the Buddhist be less Buddhist. NO..... The more important issue here is the differences that makes us unique, because I belief that it is in this differences that we can learn how to embrace our multi-ethnicity and strengthen our mutual understanding of one another. It is by this means where racial integration can be fostered, which I believe has been our greatest achievement. It is through racial tolerance which has bonded all of us despite our religious and cultural differences and thus as a result promote peace and encourage development in our country. Thankfully the ones who pose a threat to racial unity are a minority.
It is in this festive mood where we should all reflect on the importance of living together in harmony which sets us apart from most countries. As our Prime Minister says....
"Let us celebrate this festive season in a spirit that would spur us to progress together and strengthen relations between the various races, not only based on the spirit of tolerance but more than that, based on mutual respect and trust."
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
No comments:
Post a Comment