Ramadan Interfaith Event Connects Malaysians
“Being able to enjoy such sincere religious and racial acceptance is priceless," Datuk Lee, the state assemblyman for Senadin, told The Strait Times on Saturday, July 4.
Lee was referring to the interfaith event that was held by a mosque and church built next to each other near Miri City to celebrate Ramadan.
Muslims and Christians from the Anglican, Catholic, Sidang Injil Borneo and Methodist churches attended the event which reflected the unique bonds between Miri faiths.
Located 100m from each other in the Lutong bazaar, An-Naim Mosque and Good Shepherd Church share their car parks on Fridays and Sundays to accommodate worshippers.
"It has become a way of life for us to share car parks and meet for gatherings. To us, Muslims and Christians are one big family," said Imam Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Adnan.
During Friday’s interfaith event, religious leaders and attendants exchanged cakes and fruits before moving to the mosque compound to break the day-long fasting.
"This spirit of mutual acceptance comes naturally here," said Pastor Donald Jute.
Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started this year in the US and most European countries on Thursday, June 18, and is expected to end on July 16th.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset.
Fasting is meant to teach Muslims patience, self-control and spirituality, and time during the holy month is dedicated for getting closer to Allah though prayers, reading the Noble Qur’an and good deeds.
Muslim Malays form about 60 percent of Malaysia's population of 26-million, while Christians make up around 9.1 percent.
Buddhists constitute 19.2 percent, Hindu 6.3 percent, with the balance comprised of various other traditional Chinese religions.
Source: OnIslam.net
