Introduction

 

Malaysia is a nation blessed with diversity. Malaysia is truly Asia in terms of the variety of religions, ethnicities and cultures. Seven major religions are practiced by her population. Malaysia achieved her independence through a peaceful process but during an armed insurgency, had grown into a united, peaceful and prosperous country.

 

Malaysia has a unique practice where all people irrespective of their religion and belief join in together to commemorate and celebrate major festivals – the Muslim’s Eidul Fitri, Buddhist’s Wesak, Christian’s Christmas, Hindu’s Deepavali, Sikh’s Vaisakhi, Toaist’s Lao Tze birthday and Bahai’s Naw Ruz. Besides, Malaysians also commemorate Chinese the Lunar New Year, Tadau Ka’amatan and Gawai. In fact the Malaysian Government has gazetted most of these religious-oriented festival days as public holidays or holy days so that all Malaysians will have the opportunity to enjoy and commemorate them together. During these festivals we find another unique Malaysian tradition we called “open house” where no invitation is required to join any of the above celebrations to enjoy their respective cuisines.

 

Harmony reigns amongst her populace. But this is no cause to be complacent. We have seen in many countries how harmony can quickly deteriorate into genocide. In Malaysia too, discordant voices are gaining the attention of the media. Discourses along ethnic and religious lines are beginning to grow in frequency. Actions had to be taken to keep and nurture the peace and harmony. Fostering mutual understanding, true friendship and love is top in the agenda. Leaders must show good statesmanship in working together for the interest of all Malaysians and not just for their own respective communities. True collaboration amongst all must be the way forward to build a better nation.

 

The World Interfaith Harmony Week gives us the yearly reason to celebrate together; a time to contemplate and act to reenergise good relationship and partnership amongst communities.

The Cabinet Committee for the Promotion of Interfaith Understanding and Harmony among Religious Adherents (Jawatankuasa Mempromosikan Persefahaman dan Keharmonian di antara Penganut Agama), JKMPKA formed by the Malaysian government in 2011 has again been entrusted to organise the WIHW 2015.

 

What is JKMPKA

 

• JKMPKA is an abbreviation in Malay language  for the Cabinet Committee for the Promotion of Inter-Religious Harmony And Understanding Amongst Religious Adherents.

• Established by the Cabinet on the 24 February 2010 when Datuk Hjh Illani Isahak was appointed as the first chairperson. After her demise, the Director General of the Department of Unity and Integration was appointed. Presently the chairperson is Prof. Datin Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, the Deputy Director of Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia. 

• The main function is to assist the government in her continuous effort to enhance relationship and maintain peace and social stability in Malaysia.

• JKMPKA is designed to extend and continue the effort done earlier by The Working Committee on Interfaith relations under the National Unity Advisory Panel.

 

JKMPKA and WIHW 2015

 

     HM King Abdullah II mooted the idea at the UN 65th Plenary Session, New York on the 23rd

     of  September 2010. The idea was elaborated at the UN General Assembly on the 20th

     October the same year by HH Prince Ghazi, the King’s representative and special advisor.

     The United Nations  unanimously approved the motion through Resolution A/65/PV.34 and

     proclaimed the first week of February every year to be dedicated as the World Interfaith

     Harmony Week (WIHW) on the theme Love of God and Love of the Neighbour. Malaysia

     started celebrating the WIHW in 2011 and JKMPKA had been entrusted with organising it

     ever since.

 

    This is very important to Malaysia since unity and integration of her people with diverse

    ethnic, culture and religion is very important.

 

     Like the previous years, our events for 2015 fulfil the theme proposed by the UN. At the

    same time, appropriate to our Malaysian context we capitalise the spirit of Muhibah for

    better understanding and appreciation of the celebration.

 

 

 

Why in Klang?

 

       The Cabinet Committee for the Promotion of Inter-Religious Harmony And Understanding

    Amongst  Religious Adherents choose Klang to launch the Commemoration of the World

    Interfaith Harmony Week 2015. 

 

    The royal town of Klang is steeped in history, used to be the State of Selangor’s  administrative centre before Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam came into being.

    Amongst the reasons  for choosing Klang were :

           1. The close proximity of communities and their places of worship, justifying it to be the right venue to bloom the love of God and neighbour.

           2. The presence of a common health threat, dengue fever, giving the opportunity to the adherents of all religions and beliefs to do things together for the common good.