Appreciate our peace, seminar participants told
SIBU: Participants of the Community Integration Visit Programme held in conjunction with Gawai Dayak are urged to enjoy their stay here amidst the peace and harmony prevailing in the diverse but united community.
“In this wonderful Land of Hornbills, we all live peacefully and harmoniously together despite the many differences among the 26 different ethnics.
“The goodwill spirit among the various races in Sarawak is at a very high level,” Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee told the participants.
He pointed out that it is a common practice among the various religious institutions here to hold open houses.
“For example, during Hari Raya, our Muslim friends will invite friends from other religious institutions to come together and enjoy the precious harmony in the form of Hari Raya Open House.
“Likewise during Christmas, our Christian friends will invite friends from other religious institutions to come together and enjoy the Christmas celebration,” he said.
He told the participants that
In this wonderful Land of Hornbills, we all live peacefully and harmoniously together despite the many differences among the 26 different ethnics. The goodwill spirit among the various races in Sarawak is at a very high level. Hii Chang Kee, Sibu Resident
they came at an appropriate time as their visit coincided with the on-going Borneo Cultural Festival ( BCF) 2016 which would expose them to the unique racial harmony in Sarawak.
“From BCF, they can learn not only about the racial harmony among the various races, but they will also learn and personally have the chance to taste the different foods of the various races,” he said.
The National Integration and Unity Department has been organising the integration visit since 1984, which is aimed at further strengthening unity between Malaysians of various races in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan and Sarawak.
The on-going Integration Visit/ HomeStayprogrammeatKampung Usahajaya Baru Sentosa, Salim is organised by Sibu Division National Integration and Unity Department in collaboration with the Kampung Usahajaya Baru Sentosa neighbourhood unit.
Besides Kampung Usahajaya Baru Sentosa neighbourhood unit, other neighbourhood units which are also involved in the programme include those from Kampung Jeriah, Kampung Nangka, Sibu Jaya Zone 3, Kampung Hilir, Kapung Datu and Taman Soon Hup.
About 70 participants from various races are taking part in the programme which is held from July 27 to August 1.
The participants are made up of community leaders and committee members of various neighbourhood units from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan.
The programme helps to further strengthen and promote the spirit of unity among the participants
It also provides the participants the opportunity to learn and understand local traditions better.