KUCHING: The month of Ramadan for Muslims and Lent for Christians is a time of building bridges of harmony, goodwill and friendship.
In stating this Catholic Archbishop Dato Dr Simon Poh said it is a sacred time for spiritual preparation for Hari Raya and Easter Sunday.
“Both special occasions are an invitation for inner transformation and to walk side by side with all faiths for peace and harmony in Malaysia,” he said, noting that this year, Ramadan for Muslims coincides with the season of Lent for Christians.
“May our fasting, and almsgiving bless all who are in need,” he said.
Poh also stressed the virtues of mutual acceptance and respect when it comes to differences in belief or culture.
He said acknowledging and accepting differences, respecting each other and consciously striving to live as good neighbours in friendship with one another, are all that matters to align with mutual acceptance and respect.
In this instance he said ‘unity in diversity’ is achieved when neighbouring religions live side by side in a spirit of mutual acceptance and respect.
“Let us pray for our leaders – both political and religious – that we may always work together for the common good of everyone in Malaysia.
“We pray and put in practice ‘love of God and neighbours’ and work together hand in hand to bless our ‘tanahair’ for the succeeding generations of children yet to be born.
“Let this begin now, in this month of prayer, thanksgiving and almsgiving,” he said.
In another development Poh who is also president of the Catholic Bishops Conference Malaysia thanked all Malaysians for their prayers for Pope Francis who has been hospitalised for over a month with respiratory issues.
“Together with Vatican Ambassador Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski, the Catholic Church expresses our gratitude to all ambassadors, government and inter-faith leaders and friends of goodwill for your well wishes and prayers for the recovery of Pope Francis,” he said.
