IPOH: About 20,000 people attended the state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Stadium Indera Mulia here on Monday (March 31).
The event was graced by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.
Also present were Perak Raja Muda Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Di Hilir Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and his wife, Datin Seri Aezer Zubin as well as Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
The Sultan and Raja Permaisuri arrived at 3.05pm and were welcomed by Saarani, along with state executive councillors and several dignitaries.
Sultan Nazrin also presented duit Raya to
orphans and underprivileged children while guests of various races attended the celebrations and enjoyed a variety of food and beverages prepared such as satay, rendang, apam balik, lemang, rendang and ais kacang.
Earlier, Saarani,in his speech, called on the people to rekindle the spirit of togetherness following incidents that had shaken national unity.
"More concerning is that every issue that arises is no longer discussed with wisdom and knowledge but instead viewed through the lens of emotions, prejudice, religion and race.
"As a result, debates and disputes often lead to suspicion and distrust. One after another, narratives of hatred are built, making it easier for people to doubt and distrust one another," he added.
"Even worse, this language of hatred and hostility is spread through social media platforms which are used as nests to plant seeds of conflict, to prick the thorns of hostility, so that multi-racial communities are often overshadowed by a cloud of slander and insults that hurt feelings," he added.
"On this auspicious day, let us unite our hearts to rekindle the spirit of togetherness.
"Every Malaysian has a duty to foster unity and peace. All of us are responsible to rekindle the spirit of unity, so that it is not left to be consumed by the flames of hostility, " he said.
"Hopefully, let us work together to build this state and nation with sincerity, mutual understanding and respect, the very foundations of our strength all this while," he added.
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