Contributed by Michelle Chuah • Sep 15, 2026
Looking back to the years of the 1970s, I missed the carefree days where my friends of many racial backgrounds would play and participate in each other’s ethnic cultural celebrations without fear but with trust and respect among friends. The muhibbah spirit of sharing and caring has been replaced with suspicion placed by leaders who use the divide and rule concept. It is indeed sad to see friends of different ethnic backgrounds keeping to themselves instead of sharing love and care for each other.
As a follower of Christ, my family and I have indeed been living in a neighbourhood where we still try to keep the spirit of Muhibbah through gatherings held by our community security association committee. We gather for potluck meals to celebrate the New Year, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and even Christmas. I pray and thank God each day for the people of God who still go carolling at homes and also in malls.
This Malaysia Day, I pray that all brothers and sisters in Christ will gather to pray for the spirit of God’s love to shine through us to our neighbours who are yet to know the Lord. If we are willing, the Lord will make a way for us to show His love to the least and the lost here in our neighbourhood and wherever we are present. That the people of this country will realise we are Malaysians together as one. Let us not look at our differences but move forward united.
