SIBU: Local businessman Pandi Jawi and wife Salmah Abu Samah have a big heart when it comes to celebrating the holy month of Ramadan and Hari Raya Adilfitri.
For four consecutive years, they have been inviting orphans and aged kampung folks to their home at Kampung Jeriah to break fast with his family.
This year, the couple first invited about 40 orphans to their home to break fast.
Then, just last week, the couple invited the aged folks to their home to break fast.
After dinner with them, the couple lighted oil lamps in their house compound and fireworks to share the festive joy with them.
Pandi said in gearing up for Hari Raya Adilfitri, he liked the spirit of camaraderie among kampung folks to come alive through sharing.
He said kampung folks were warm and caring, stressing that the community spirit even after half a century of independence had not changed.
“Not only kampung folks but all Malaysians are warm, hospitable and friendly. That is why we have been celebrating our major festivals in friendship and harmony.”
He said as this year’s Hari Raya coincided with Merdeka Day, the spirit of love and harmony must become the basis for the celebration to remind each Malaysian of his or her duty as a citizen.
Pandi and his family are therefore celebrating Hari Raya this year not only with love and harmony for all but also with love for the country as they hang up the national and state flags at their doorsteps.
He welcomes all friends to his home during this Hari Raya.
“I particularly want friends from all races to come. I am eager to share not only harmony and love but the spirit of patriotism with them because nation building is about Malaysians.”