KOTA SAMARAHAN: Every December, Siti Khatijah Salam looks forward to joining in the Christmas celebration with her husband Freddy Shiro Deri and his Christian family.
Siti Khatijah, an administrative assistant, and police officer Freddy have been living with his parents here since getting married eight years ago.
Besides Christmas, Freddy said the family also celebrates Gawai and Hari Raya.
“This is who we are. We live together under one roof and there is no problem for us to celebrate together.
“Every year all of us will go and join the Christmas parade where we have fun and joy.
“During Raya, both of us will go to my mother-in-law’s house and celebrate there. We will go visiting like we do during Christmas and Gawai,” said the 44-year-old.
Siti Khatijah, also 44, said she was happy to celebrate Christmas with her husband and in-laws.
She said decorating the Christmas tree was her favourite part of the celebration.
“The first time I was very excited by the colours, the ornaments and the lights.
“Every year I will decorate the tree according to a theme. This year the theme is red and gold,” she said.
Freddy’s sister Mornita Deri, 40, said the family used to put up the tree on Christmas eve but Siti Khatijah would start decorating at the beginning of December.
“We used to be very last-minute in our preparations, but this changed when she came into our lives,” she said.
Freddy said the family enjoys the open house visits, where there are plenty of food, laughter and jokes. He said his relatives would prepare halal food for him and Siti Khatijah.
His parents Deri Lingam, 76, and Nempris Mijong, 70, said they accepted Siti Khatijah as a member of the family.
“It’s not a problem that she has a different religion. What’s important is that we respect one another,” Deri, who is Iban, said.
Nempris, a Bidayuh, added that she and Siti Khatijah respected one another.
“There is no such thing as not accepting her because she is Muslim. We are able to joke with one another as equals,” she said.
Maxchester Harvey, Freddy’s 17-year-old son from his first marriage, said there were no issues of race or religion in the family.
“For me, happiness is always there when I’m with my family. When I see my family happy, I will be happy too,” he said.
