BY: CATHERINE SAW

Like other festivals in Malaysia this year, Christmas was celebrated with great joy as Malaysians thronged shopping malls, churches and the homes of Christians to join in the merriment after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Early this year Chinese New Year, Hari Raya AidilFitri and Diwali was celebrated joyously as the Covid 19 restrictions were lifted allowing Malaysians to mingle freely as was evidenced during this Christmas celebrations.

Churches were decorated and packed with churchgoers, shopping malls were also adorned with all kinds of Christmas trappings and there was a spirit of camaraderie as it also coincided with the school holidays.

Once again Malaysians of all races and religions showed how big hearted they were by generously contributing and sharing whatever they had with others especially the less fortunate, disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

Perhaps because Malaysia now had a unity government, it was a contributory factor as the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and His Majesty the Yang DiPertuan Agong conveyed their Christmas greeting and wishes to all Malaysians.

This year’s festivals in Malaysia were spectacular and cut across all races and religions which showed that bridges of interfaith were being built and the walls that separate and divide Malaysians came crumbling down.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher