An Anglican bishop in Malaysia has told an interfaith gathering that Christmas is not a celebration limited to Christians alone but a universal message of love, hope, and unity meant for all of humanity.
Bishop Donald Jute of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei emphasized that Christmas was more than just “customs and rituals” during a Dec.19 event in Sarawak.
Some 2,000 people attended the program themed “Love that Transforms Lives,” which the Association of Churches in Sarawak organized, reported the DayakDaily.
“It is a reflection of the boundless love of God that reaches out to every individual, regardless of faith,” Jute added.
“The spirit of Christmas transcends traditions, serving as a poignant reminder of God’s love that unites people of all backgrounds and beliefs,” he added.
Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Batu Kitang lawmaker Lo Khere Chiang, and representatives from Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Baha’i faiths, among others, attended the event.
Lau Hui Ming, president of the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) Methodist Church, spoke, stressing the importance of love and unity in the Christ-centered celebration of Christmas.
The event also included readings from sacred texts in multiple languages, musical performances, and a choir presentation.
The Sarawak region in Malaysia is known for its socio-cultural and religious diversity.
Muslims comprise over 60 percent of Malaysia’s estimated 32 million people.
Buddhists are the most significant minority with 20 percent, Christians are 10 percent and about 6.3 percent are Hindus, according to 2018 government estimates.
Among Malaysia’s 13 states, Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo account for about two-thirds of the country’s Christians, who comprise one-third of the population.
Sarawak is the largest state in terms of area, and Christians form 50.1 percent or 1.2 million of its 2.4 million people.
Muslims make up 800,000 or 34.2 percent, and Buddhists account for about 300,000 or 12.8 percent of the total population in Sarawak.
Protestants, mostly Anglicans, are the majority among Christian denominations in the region.
The Archdiocese of Kuching, Miri, and Sibu covers some 441,000 Catholics in the area.