KUCHING:Aidiladha’s spirit of sacrifice and unity should inspire Sarawakians to continue safeguarding the state’s long-standing racial and religious harmony.
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said the celebration also serves as a reminder of the efforts made by earlier generations to build peace, understanding and cooperation among Sarawak’s multiracial communities.
“Aidiladha teaches us about sacrifice for the greater good. In the context of Sarawak, that same spirit can be seen in the efforts and sacrifices of our forefathers who worked hard to build peace, mutual understanding and unity among the many races and religions in our state,” he said in a statement yesterday (May 27).
Ahmad said the harmony enjoyed in Sarawak today did not happen by accident, but was built through decades of mutual respect and tolerance among leaders and communities.
“Our generation now carries the responsibility to preserve and strengthen this peace and harmony. We must never allow hatred, divisive politics or extremism to destroy the unity that our forefathers worked so hard to build,” he said.
He said Sarawak continues to serve as an example to the country in demonstrating how a multiracial and multi-religious society can live together peacefully and respectfully.
“In Sarawak, we celebrate each other’s festivals together — Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Aidiladha, Gawai Dayak, Christmas and Chinese New Year. This is the true strength of the Sarawak Spirit,” he added.
Ahmad hoped the values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect practised in Sarawak would continue to be strengthened and shared across Malaysia and beyond.
“Let Sarawak and also Sabah continue to be known as a land of peace, harmony and mutual respect among all races and religions,” he said.
Earlier, Ahmad attended several Aidiladha Qurban ceremonies and community gatherings around Batu Kawa after performing Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers with the local Muslim community.
He also expressed appreciation to mosque and surau committees, village leaders, volunteers and community members for ensuring the success of this year’s Qurban programmes.
“The spirit of gotong-royong and sharing blessings with others is something we must continue to preserve for future generations,” he said.
