Three wise women display the true spirit of Christmas

On Wednesday, I went for a quick lunch at a popular nasi kandar outlet in Petaling Jaya. It was there that I had the most heart-warming experience and certainly a very joyous start to Christmas this year.

The restaurant was packed and in walked three young women who asked whether they could share my table. Of course, I welcomed them.

In the course of our conversation, I learned that they were university students working on an assignment for a charity project during the year-end semester break.

They were fine-spirited, well-mannered and chatty young people. I had a most interesting and meaningful chat with them, never mind that they were strangers. In fact, I think they were the best lunch companions one could ask for.

Over biryani rice, fried chicken and curry, we talked about education and student loans (PTPTN naturally came into the picture), the New Economic Policy, politics, corruption, poverty and other social issues. Mind you, the trio were well-versed in what’s going on in the country and elsewhere.

Then I asked them, “I am a Christian and you are all Muslims. Do you find anything wrong in wishing me Merry Christmas?”

“Of course not! Merry Christmas, uncle,” they blurted out, almost in unison.

Actually, I posed them the question out of the blue without thinking but was glad with their immediate reaction.

Their response proved one important fact – the majority of Muslim Malaysians, the young included, are sensible, caring and responsible when it comes to respecting other religious beliefs other than their own.

It wasn’t too long ago when a fatwa had to be issued which gave Malaysians the go-ahead to wish "Happy Christmas" to their Christian friends, which came about following an uproar after so-called religious leaders insisted that it was wrong to do so.

Now think of this. Would we get anywhere at all if every Malaysian needed permission to wish others Happy New Year, Happy Deepavali, Selamat Hari Raya, Selamat Gawai, Gong Xi Fa Cai, Merry Christmas, Happy Vesak or any other greeting?

How absurd, silly and stupid that would make us.

But sadly, that is true. We have “preachers” in our midst who do not understand or cannot be bothered about nurturing the deeply-rooted religious tolerance and harmony that Malaysians have long cherished.

For decades, neighbours and colleagues have wished their Christian friends "Happy Christmas." Only the eye-wateringly senseless among us would need an official directive to use the greeting.

So, if Muslims were to wish “Happy Christmas” to a Christian, do they automatically become unbelievers?

Rabiah, Suki and Nora

Guess what, my three new-found friends, Rabiah, Suki and Nora, answered that question perfectly.

“Uncle, if wishing you Happy Christmas makes me lose my faith and become less of a Muslim, then my faith is not very strong.

“On the contrary, Islam teaches us to care, love and respect others. If I follow these teachings, I am a true believer,” Rabiah explained with perfect poise.

Suki and Nora nodded in total agreement.

They then advised me what the majority of our Muslim brethren in the country have been telling non-Muslims all along: do not listen to the few bigots and extremists; they do not represent all the Muslims in the country. Pay no attention to them.

But what happened next truly brought joy to my heart. Nora said, “Uncle, I’ve also learned Christmas carols. I’m sure you like this one,” before belting out the first two verses of “Mary’s boy child.”

Not to be outdone, Suki then serenaded me with the more upbeat children’s tune “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”

We were in the perfect Christmas mood over lunch that day. Several customers near our table even applauded after the young women ended their renditions. Two walked over and shook my hand to wish me “Happy Christmas”.

For me, I couldn’t ask for a more perfect start to Christmas. I was moved by their instant friendship and respect, not only because I’m an older person, but more so because of our different religious backgrounds.

Let me say this here. Despite what the naysayers say about this country, I believe there is still hope for this nation because everywhere we go, we can still see normal Malaysians of all religions celebrating festivals together.

I don’t believe there is that much distrust or a feeling of any religion under threat from innocuous gestures. Those are just games the politicians play.

I think that many of my fellow Malaysians can readily agree with me if I say that there is still much hope for people of all religions to live peacefully here.

For those of us who are Christians, there is an important prayer we should offer on this joyous and holy Christmas season – that Malaysians may be filled with the grace and wisdom to harness and nurture the religious tolerance and harmony that we have held dear for so long.

Have a holy, blessed and happy Christmas, everyone.

And to Rabiah, Suki and Nora, thanks for showering me the true spirit of Christmas, and may the peace and love of God be with you all.

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.- mkini