Hari Raya Qurban
Dec 23rd, 2007 by Tian
Eid Murbarak.
This year end our multiethnic society witnessed the celebration of different festivals together.
Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Adha or commonly referred to Hari Raya Haji in Malaysia which fell on December 20.
On Dec 22, Chinese celebrated “Dong Zhi” (冬至). The festival is in fact the Winter Solstice. Then it was Christmas on Dec 25.
In some way, all these festivals deal with the notion of sacrifice. Sacrifice is the death that brings regeneration (reborn), thus it is not mourned in sorrow but hailed as the beginning of a new cycle of life.
Eid-ul-Adha which has its root in Semitic legend, manifests the shared heritage of major global religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Although today the rite of Qurban or Korban varies in different religions, the essence of sacrifice is none but dedicated to the preservation and prolongation of life.
Unfortunately, this share meaning of life and sacrifice has been overshadowed by intolerance and narrow mindedness. Umno under the religious doctrine of Hadhari invented by Abdullah has become much more illiterate about religion and faith.
In the age of tyranny, our sacrifice is needed for the good of the next generations.
Happy Fest of Qurban! Merry Christmas!