As a result of the easy availability of all kinds of food of the world in KL and possibly too, in the major cities of the country such as Penang, Ipoh, Johor Baru, and may be too Alor Star, the saying is “Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Deepavali” are celebrated all year round, if foods are the main concern for all these festivities.
Already Malaysian families are seen to book in at hotels and resorts to celebrate religious holidays. The old traditions of going back to the old folks or family elders seem to be waning away. The new concepts of “open houses” seem to be the trend to celebrate these festivities and this open house practice has lately been adopted by the Government itself when it holds mega open houses at each states to open houses opened to the public!
I have never been to any of these mega events but from what I hear of friends who have attended them, it is simply unbelievable. People of all races, including tourists who are curious about such events which are nonexistence in their countries, flock to these mega open house by the thousands. Very seldom that the food is insufficient and everyone is assured of tasting at least something. Extravagance, you would say, for the government to do so? May be if you look at it merely from the economic point of view. From the social and society point of view though, it is a very good attempt at racial integration and getting to know you get-togetherness and politically of course it is a buyer for the future voters for the ruling party.
In short , it is a win-win event for all concerned.
If you ask me if Ainul and I have been to one?No , we have not, because we just do not like too crowded a place especially when we assume things could go disorderly and potential for stampede in the event of a mishap. Of course this is contrary to the ever crowded events at the UMRAH and the HAJ. The seemingly disordered look at these two religious events are very orderly simply because they are established rituals that have been practised for hundreds of years.
Well, it will be the same for our mega events of these festivities if they take roots for the coming years, insyaallah !
written by Tunku Farid
edited by Aida Halim
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