Festivals time to set aside differences

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Ahmad (ninth left), Nancy (eighth left) and Lo (sixth left) pose for a group photo with the villagers of Kampung Tematu dressed in traditional Bidayuh costumes. — Photos by Jefferey Mostapa

Ahmad (ninth left), Nancy (eighth left) and Lo (sixth left) pose for a group photo with the villagers of Kampung Tematu dressed in traditional Bidayuh costumes. — Photos by Jefferey Mostapa

KUCHING: Stop using politics to divide the people and their faiths by inciting the differences in terms of ideology, religion and ethnicity.

“Aren’t we all descendants of Adam and Eve? Then, there was only one religion and race,” Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Batu Kawah branch chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said at the Kampung Tematu’s Pre-Gawai celebration held at its multipurpose hall in Batu Kitang Road here, Friday.

“As population grew human began to factionalise into different groups to carry out their respective tasks. From there, one religion began to break up due to the politics of the leaders or groups greedy of power, status and wealth,” he added.

For this reason, Ahmad said he was looking forward to festivals such as Gawai Dayak as it was a time when people set aside their differences and show courtesy and respect to each other.

“Gawai Dayak is good because it showcases the identity of the celebrants. Through our culture and traditions, we sow the seeds of our values which have allowed us to remain united until today,” he said, adding that every ethnic group in the state had a unique identity of their own to create a culturally diverse and vibrant identity for Sarawak.

Ahmad thus encouraged those working or living outside villages to take the opportunity of this festive season to come home and get to know each other deeper and better.

He also reminded the celebrants not to drink excessively while drivers should always make safety their priority so that they could reach their destination safely.

“Remember there are loved ones waiting for you at home,” he added.

Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang, heads of departments, community leaders and representatives of various PBB branches were also present. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri officiated at the function earlier.