A circular from the Education Ministry has somewhat marred this year's Ponggal festivities when it advised Muslim students that it was forbidden to participate in the Hindu tradition.
However, Penang's SJK (T) Bayan Lepas headmaster Sangga Sinnayah went ahead and organised a multiracial festival by integrating fun-learning elements for the school's Ponggal theme this year.
He said a day before Ponggal, which fell on Jan 15, teachers prepared their lessons according to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The goals selected were zero-hunger, health and well-being, quality education, affordable and clean energy, a sustainable environment, peace, justice and strong institutions.
"The students were asked to search for important elements about Ponggal to be shared with their respective classmates," Sangga (below) told Malaysiakini.
On Jan 13, Education Ministry deputy director-general Adzman Talib had issued a circular stating that Jakim's position on Ponggal was that ''it was haram (forbidden) for Muslims to participate in the festival''.
The circular had gone viral on social media. However, the Education Ministry later clarified it had never forbidden Ponggal from being celebrated in schools.
The ministry further explained that the circular was to assuage the concerns of Muslim parents over the issue.
Sangga said the Ponggal festival at the school this year was celebrated by more than 110 students and 16 teachers plus students and a teacher from SK Bayan Lepas 2 and SJK (C) Weng Khai as well as parent-teacher associations (PIBG) representatives.
He said the celebration was made merrier with the presence of NGO members from "Trash Hero Cheras" and "Huku Tigers Awareness" represented by Erina Law and her family, husband Lawrence Cheah and children Delwina and Delwin.
Members of Aimpactz, a social enterprise and representatives from the police and the Penang Education Department were also present.
"About 220 people joined in and enjoyed the Ponggal celebration in our school," Sangga said.
"The important part of Ponggal is the science behind it. So we explained why Ponggal is not a religious but rather a thanksgiving celebration to appreciate nature."
He added that the term Ponggal actually meant "to boil" as milk is boiled over as a symbol of prosperity.
After that, families will cook a sweet rice dish made together with lentils, palm sugar, nuts, cardamom and ghee.
"Primary schoolchildren, with the help of their parents, also prepared a journal on how to cook the items in a clay pot," Sangga said, adding the milk will then be offered to the sun as a sign of gratefulness.
"All living organisms need solar power to survive. That is why the first day of the Tamil calendar is dedicated to the sun," he added.
After the ritual, Sangga said vegetarian food would be served on banana leaves to guests.
He said the best part of the event was when Malay and Chinese children ate the traditional Indian food offerings with their fingers.
"Although we prepared cutlery and some other Malaysian dishes, yet they requested to eat the traditional Indian meal.
"This shows that our differences do not always matter," Sangga said.
"Children are children and they love to unite with diverse communities. Ponggal reminded me that we are all Malaysians." - Mkini
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