Monday, September 10, 2007
For A Diversified Malaysia
In a place where the people celebrate different festivals, I can look forward to the emergence of the anak bulan during Raya, smile at the offer of an ang pow during Chinese New Year and appreciate the universal concept of good triumphing over evil during Deepavali.
In a place where the people are of different faiths, I can hear the melodious call for the azan from the mosque, smell the aroma of burning incense when I pass by the Chinese temple and marvel at the intricate carvings of an Indian place of worship.
In a place where people celebrate different religious occasions, I can learn the spirit of sacrifice during Hari Raya Haji, jointly pray for peace during Wesak and be amazed by the kavadi carriers during Thaipusam.
In a place where the people speak different languages, I can smile at my mother’s effort at Bahasa with the rotiman, thank the taxi driver in Hokkien and learn how to count 1 to 10 in Tamil.
In a place where the people have different cultures, I can try to look good in a baju kurung, be envious of lovely ladies in cheong sams and admire the elegance of a sari.
In a place where the people practise different customs, I can feel just as strongly the traditional deep reverence for our Rulers, share in the sweetness of a mooncake and be amazed by the beauty of a kolam.
In a place where the people eat different types of food, I can happily tuck in a tosai for breakfast, go to my favorite hailam chicken rice stall for lunch and buy a packet of beef rending for dinner.
In a place where the people are of different races, I have learned that diversity can be celebrated, not merely tolerated; a source of strength, not weakness; and can put more meaning into our lives, not less. In a place where everyone is of the same skin color, let me tell you that these people just cannot begin to understand what muhibbah means, have little chance to experience what diversity is all about and no opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness differences can bring. In short, it is a place with little variety, few colors and no spice.
Dear Malaysians, be thankful for the diversity.
In a place where the people are of different faiths, I can hear the melodious call for the azan from the mosque, smell the aroma of burning incense when I pass by the Chinese temple and marvel at the intricate carvings of an Indian place of worship.
In a place where people celebrate different religious occasions, I can learn the spirit of sacrifice during Hari Raya Haji, jointly pray for peace during Wesak and be amazed by the kavadi carriers during Thaipusam.
In a place where the people speak different languages, I can smile at my mother’s effort at Bahasa with the rotiman, thank the taxi driver in Hokkien and learn how to count 1 to 10 in Tamil.
In a place where the people have different cultures, I can try to look good in a baju kurung, be envious of lovely ladies in cheong sams and admire the elegance of a sari.
In a place where the people practise different customs, I can feel just as strongly the traditional deep reverence for our Rulers, share in the sweetness of a mooncake and be amazed by the beauty of a kolam.
In a place where the people eat different types of food, I can happily tuck in a tosai for breakfast, go to my favorite hailam chicken rice stall for lunch and buy a packet of beef rending for dinner.
In a place where the people are of different races, I have learned that diversity can be celebrated, not merely tolerated; a source of strength, not weakness; and can put more meaning into our lives, not less. In a place where everyone is of the same skin color, let me tell you that these people just cannot begin to understand what muhibbah means, have little chance to experience what diversity is all about and no opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness differences can bring. In short, it is a place with little variety, few colors and no spice.
Dear Malaysians, be thankful for the diversity.
Labels: Country
# posted by Malaysian Abroad @ 9/10/2007 
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hi,
i'm a malaysian working and residing in HK too. so i can understand the sentiment u mention in your blog. indeed, for us who been travelling overseas and when look back into our own country state affairs lately.. i feel ashamed to call myself a Malaysian.
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i'm a malaysian working and residing in HK too. so i can understand the sentiment u mention in your blog. indeed, for us who been travelling overseas and when look back into our own country state affairs lately.. i feel ashamed to call myself a Malaysian.
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