Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extends greetings to the Hindu community on Thaipusam
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Thaipusam, a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Anwar said he hoped that this year’s celebration would be more festive than the previous ones.
“Happy Thaipusam celebration to our Hindu friends. May this year’s celebration be more festive than the previous ones, surrounded by family and loved ones,” he wrote.
He also urged the people to continue working together to ensure that Malaysia remains safe and peaceful, and that the values of diversity are strengthened.
“Let us continue working to ensure that Malaysia remains safe and peaceful, and that the values of diversity are strengthened. We are stronger together as Malaysians,” he added.
Thaipusam is a major festival for the Hindu community, especially the Tamil-speaking Hindus, in Malaysia. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, which falls on January 25 this year.
The festival commemorates the occasion when Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, received the divine spear (vel) from his mother to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
Meanwhile, the Islamic party, PAS also extends greetings to all Hindus on Thaipusam and wishes them a smooth and safe celebration. The party’s secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the festival, reflects the diversity that enriches Malaysia’s social fabric.
“Thaipusam serves as yet another manifestation of the diversity that enriches our country’s social fabric, adding value to the quality of experience and awareness of the people, especially concerning issues of openness, moderation and tolerance as well as mutual acceptance and respect,” he said in a statement.
– TNS News