Unity Poem
What
would the world be like if…
Everyone
looked much like everyone else?
Same
hair, skin colour and appearance?
What
would the world be like if only one culture existed, one religion, one
language?
Would
the world still be as beautiful, as rich, as vibrant and exiting as it is
today?
What
about Malaysia?
What
would Malaysia be like if we all belong to one ethnic group, one religious
tradition?
Would
there be nasi lemak, char kuey teow, banana leaf rice, chapatti and dhal?
Asam
pedas, yong tau foo, vadai and rojak?
How
about hinava, dunuwek, paku pakis goreng, sarawak laksa and pansuh?
Would
there be roti canai and teh tarik, too?
Would
women wear baju kurungs, kain kebat, marudu, cheongsams, and saris?
Would
children recognise our Sikh brother with his majestic turban…
…Pakcik
wearing his kopiah, Annai with his white vesti and Apek in a Pagoda T-shirt?
…Ayak
with his tattoos, Maman with his straw hat?
Would
there be kompang, Chinese drums or tablas? How about the joget, sumazau and
bhangra?
Will
we get to enjoy Dikir Barat, Chinese Opera and the Bharatanatyam? Would we
celebrate Gawai and Keamatan?
Will
we wake up to the soothing call of the azan and go home at the end of the day
to the alluring sounds of Hindu temple bells?
…or
the clank of cymbals as we breathe in the quaint smell of incense drifting from
a Chinese temple?
Would
Sundays be Sundays without church bells ringing?
Would
all our weddings be the same old same old?
No
adat bersanding or bunga telur, no tea ceremony or yam seng, no nalangu or
laddu?
What
would Malaysia be like with no Hari Raya? No ketupat, bunga api, pelita and no
children collecting duit raya?
What
if there was no Chinese New Year, no reunion dinner, no yee sang, no ang pow
and no lion dance?
What
if we did not celebrate Deepavali, and nobody decorated their houses with kolam
and no lamps were lit?
What
if we did not experience the spirit of togetherness at Christmas or listen to
the harmony of Christmas carols?
Would
we still celebrate with each other by holding open houses?
What
would Malaysia be like if we all belong to only one ethnic group, one religious
tradition?
Can
we still call this country Malaysia?
Would
we still be Malaysian?
Hinduism
believes in the oneness of all that lives - Gandhi
He
who experiences the Unity of life sees his own Self in all beings
-
The Buddha
All
within the four seas are brothers
- Confucius
Behold,
how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in Unity
- Psalms 133:1
And
among His Signs is the creation of the heavens & the earth, and the
variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for
those who know
-
Quran 30:22
Let’s celebrate our diversity.
Let’s be first and foremost Malaysian.
Found the (above) enlightening Unity Poem in Anas Zubedy's latest book or rather message to Malaysians -
The Middle Path.
You got to read it to appreciate Anas' untiring effort to send sense into our minds.
Thank You Anas Zubedy, I'm sure Malaysians appreciate your noble heart but just that the lust for power is so great now that politics have become our staple diet.
Lets pray that such 'daily divisive politics' would be put to rest after the next General Elections.
MERDEKA 2012
p/s >>>>>>
:-)