Some of us recently celebrated Christmas. Many months have been spent buying presents, decorating the home, perhaps even a tree, and preparing for the dinner. Friends and family are gathered in a day of making merry. For a nation where the estimated Christian community is slightly less than 10 percent (source: Asia United Theological University), what does this celebration mean to the diverse population of Malaysians?

Festivities based on religion or ethnic descent have usually been regarded as a platform for bonding across our multi-cultural differences. We send each other cards as the occasion calls for, get dressed up, visit each other's houses and spend some time enjoying each other's company and sumptuous goodies. The importance of these celebrations in helping us understand more about each other's cultures and beliefs cannot be undermined. At these events, we open up our minds and hearts to the practice and system of ideas that are very different from our own in a spirit of goodwill. As such, when a programme like National Service compels trainees to choose between festivities for their break, the issue of whether this might compromise our ability to form these connections raises.

What are the assumptions that underpin this procedure? Perhaps the government thinks that it is enough to have only one form of variation from our individual celebrations. Or maybe they are accommodating to trainees who are from more diverse backgrounds, for example, Chinese Muslims. Possibly, there is a reluctance to allow for too many breaks since this may disrupt the programme or worse, that trainees may not return. Since 1,874 trainees recently failed to report for duty, this might not be an unwarranted worry. However, the felt necessity of management and consequently, restriction of these youths' mobility at these occasions require a moment of reflection in terms of costs to social cohesion.

When selection is obliged, then logically, the festivity that is closer to one's own identity and religion would be chosen. This has two implications. As mentioned, the opportunity to be intimated with the beliefs and associated rituals of a different section of society is closed.

To a nation made up of multiple races and religion, these moments of entering each other's houses at a time of joy are vital. They provide us with the space and context to ask questions about important personal beliefs. Subsequently, we can gain a deeper understanding and cultivate respect for - maybe even embrace - each other's differences.

The informal and festive setting of these occasions facilitate the sharing of warm emotions which contribute towards a meaningful sense of relationship through exchanges. Since one of the objectives of National Service is to craft a national identity from our diversity, this opportune juncture seem to be ironically wasted.

Further, this restriction could result in anxiety over 'proprietorship' of our individual festivities. When made to choose, we may lose a sense of collective ownership where our capacity to affect each other's lives in this important aspect of social relations may be compromised.

Culture and tradition are constantly changing in relation to the people that keep them alive. If we are given only a limited chance to participate fully in these events, then our ability to bring our own experiences and perspectives into understanding the significance of these moments in the lives of fellow Malaysians from a different background are similarly diminished. Imagine a new generation of Indians who do not comprehend ang pows, or a Muslims who do not understand the symbolism of light during Deepavali. How can we construct a meaningful concept of 'rakyat Malaysia' for the future then?

Festivities truly play an important role for us to connect out to each other particularly in our differences in identity. We don traditional costumes with pride, and sometimes even try on each other's style of garments to better demonstrate our acceptance and respect. Although we delight in our variety and fusion of different ethnic tastes in food, these celebrations gives us a chance to sample the pinnacle of such diversity. Food that are usually rare in the market blossom during such occasions. Days are spent poring over recipes handed down through generations to perfect the delicious 'kuih-muih' that also carry with them a sense of history and community. Knowledge of another culture's delicacies can signal familiarity and dynamic interaction, especially if this acquaintance comes from being welcomed at each other's houses during important celebrations.

Perhaps instead of the usual holiday that we have planned during these festive breaks, we might want to consider spending more time with our colleagues and friends who are celebrating these occasions. Find out more about our colourful and diverse traditions, histories and beliefs that are an important part of our heterogeneous heritage. Whilst doing so, give a reflective moment also to the women and girls who are usually the ones doing the cooking, decorating, cleaning and welcoming. Maybe festivities are not only a moment of traversing ethnic and religious differences, but also a time for rethinking gender roles in action!

Jaclyn Kee
26 December 2004

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