(Kuching, 26th) The tradition of celebrating various religious festivities together is an important foundation for maintaining harmony and unity in Sarawak society.
Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching stated that the open-door culture practiced by the people of Sarawak has successfully brought together communities of different religious and faith backgrounds.
He said that in Sarawak, we are always together for every festival, such as Hari Raya, Ramadan, Deepavali, Wesak, Guru Nanak's Birthday, and Christmas.
“This habit of gathering, sharing meals, and celebrating together not only brings people closer but also serves as a platform to foster harmony, peace, and cooperation for the common good of all people in Sarawak.”
He expressed these views when interviewed by the media yesterday during the Catholic Church's Christmas open-house event held at the Holy See and Cathedral Pastoral Centre at St. Joseph's Church in Kuching.
Datuk Simon Poh said that the Christmas celebration conveys messages of peace, harmony, and goodwill, which must be practiced in daily life in order to achieve collective well-being.
At the same time, he also called on political and religious leaders at the global level to work together to address conflicts and strive for world peace.
He added that Sarawak is a blessed region, with leadership that emphasizes interreligious harmony, enabling followers of all religions to coexist peacefully and respect one another.