Reps for six non-Islamic religions to hold joint prayers on July 21 for Sarawak’s continued peace, prosperity and political stability
KUCHING, July 11 — A joint prayer for prosperity, peace, political stability, unity and social inclusivity will be held next week by Sarawak’s Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) in conjunction with the state’s 60th year of independence.
State Deputy Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Liwan Lagang said the thanksgiving prayer ceremony is one of the key events to be held in conjunction with the independence celebration. “The event will commence at 9am on July 21 at a hotel here where representatives of the Christian, Buddhist, Baha’I, Sikh, Tao and Hindu faiths will gather to recite their respective prayers,” Liwan told reporters here today.
He said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg is scheduled to officiate the ceremony.
Liwan said more than 700 guests, including ministers and deputy ministers, heads of government departments, religious institutions of various faiths and community leaders, are expected to attend. He said in a true spirit of the “Segulai, Sejalai” (Together, One Direction) concept, the ceremony will start with a Baha’i prayer to be followed by Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh and Tao prayers for the state’s prosperity, peace, political stability, unity and social inclusivity.
He explained that since January, the six religions had been rotating among their own houses of worship to hold a monthly thanksgiving prayer session.
He added each religion was assigned a special theme in conjunction with the 60 years of Sarawak Independence Celebration as a kick-start to the countdown of this special thanksgiving ceremony.
Sarawak’s 60 years of Independence will be held on July 22 at the Central Padang and is expected to be attended by the Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Abang Johari and Sarawak federal and state ministers.
