2,000 Catholics in Baram for Easter gathering
MIRI: Around 2,000 Catholics are expected to gather at Long Pillah in the interior of Baram for the Middle Baram Zone 2017 Easter celebration.
The celebration will be centred and hosted by St Paul Church from 13th to 16th of this month.
Long Pillah headman Saging Wan Lah said after receiving a RM20,000 grant for the celebration from Telang Usan assemblyman yesterday: “We are expecting around 2,000 Catholics from 18 villages and longhouses in Baram to gather in Long Pillah for the celebration. Easter is very significant and important celebration for the Catholic community.”
According to Saging, the villagers and the organising committee have been working very hard for many months in preparation for the celebration.
“We thanked the government for financial assistance given to us through the assemblyman (Dennis) that will ensure smooth running of the celebration. We are ready and confident to host the many Catholics in our humble and small village in the interior of Baram,” he said.
The cheque for the grant was presented in the assemblyman service centre in Luak here.
Dennis said the financial assistance from the government reflects religious freedom although Islam is the official religion of the country.
“It also shows government supports and encourages the development (spiritual) of other religion and belief in the country. We should treasure and cherish the religious freedom to strengthen the unity and harmony in a multi-racial and multi-religious society like ours. These are the platform for the development and progress of the country.”