Visiting each other’s houses of worship
Published on: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Kuala Lumpur: Members of various faiths led by their respective clergy conducted a walkabout in Brickfields on Saturday, visiting nine different places of worship in the process (pix). It was to spread the message that we may follow different faiths but are all part of one human family and in conjunction with United Nations Peace Day.ADVERTISEMENT
The walkabout was driven by the spirit that our country is blessed to have many communities living together in harmony, and this diversity should be celebrated, said the organisers.
“We have a vision of spreading this activity throughout the country as a simple way for ordinary people to show their neighbours that we believe in living together in goodwill and harmony,” said the event’s organising chairman Prematilaka KD Serisena. The walk began at 6.45am at the Syrian Orthodox Church at Jalan Tun Sambanthan 1 and ended at the Buddhist Maha Vihara at Jalan Berhala in Brickfields.
“As the first rays of light broke through the darkness the morning greeted us with blessings of a gathering for the love of God.” said Mahdar Tahir of Cresent Creations.
On the way, participants visited the Our Lady of Fatima church, the Evangical Lutheran church, the Shri Shivan Alayam temple, the Kuala Lumpur Tamil Methodist church, the Sam Kow Tong temple, the Madrassatul Gouthiyyah surau and the Sri Sakti Karpaga Vinayaga temple.ADVERTISEMENT
“Frankly we did not know which faith each one of us followed, other than the leaders in their religious attire, and it did not matter” said President of Madrassatul Gouthiyyah Hj Anver Hussain Maricar.
The event was organised by these houses of worship with support from Persatuan Promosi Harmoni Malaysia (Harmony Malaysia), Rukun Tetanga Brickfields and the Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band Malaysia.
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Jalan Jalan Harmoni 2 is one of the activities organised by places of worship in Brickfields as part of the Brickfields Initiative. This is an effort to get the area officially recognised as a model of communal harmony to reflect the diversity of faiths that are peacefully practised there.
“We believe that if everyone focuses on the golden rule to treat others as we want to be treated, taught in every religion, our nation will be blessed with peace and harmony,” said Brig Gen (R) Dato Richard Robless President of Persatuan Promosi Harmoni Malaysia.