Penang launched its first-ever inter-faith Harmony Centre in George Town today.
The Chief Minister Incorporated has been entrusted with the project, which was first mooted by former Penang chief minister and current Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in 2017.
With an allocation of RM2.5 million from the state government, the Penang Harmony Centre building provides space for Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Taoists to conduct retreats, seminars, lectures and classes.
"We believe that proximity fosters affinity," said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the centre today.
"It is with this spirit of doing things together in earnest, such as by observing each other's religious practices and shared values, that we learn more about one another and prove that Malaysians are matured people who are able to accept our respective differences.
"I cannot stress enough how important it is that we Malaysians are united in diversity rather than divided according to our similarities," he said.
"I hope all religious NGOs and groups, including Muslims, will make good use of the Harmony Centre in the spirit of togetherness".
Penang had made earlier efforts to foster unity among its people.
Last week, the State Legislative Assembly heard that Norlela Ariffin (PKR-Penanti) has been organising interfaith sessions to dispel fear among people with different religions.
This comes even as the Penang Islamic Affairs Council plans to enact a law to curb proselytisation of Muslims by non-Muslim preachers.
Designed by principal architect Tan Bee Eu, who also worked on the Penang Digital Library, the Harmony Centre is housed in a Malay heritage house, with a beautiful, green landscape.
A peace pole donated by Penang Gandhi Peace Centre founder Anwar Fazal and inscribed with the words "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in four major local languages was placed in a prominent corner of the centre’s compound.
State executive councillor on religions other than Islam Chong Eng said the new centre is a place for people from all religious background to practice freedom of religion.
"The top priority goes to registered religious organisations. However, we also encourage NGOs to carry out their activities, programmes, and events here," she said during her speech.
Also present during the event were members of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) Penang, who recited prayers of different faiths before the centre was launched. - Mkini
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