#SaySomethingNice Religious Harmony

Jalan Kapitan Keling, Penang – A display of religious harmony.

Malaysia has always prided in having peaceful co-existence of diverse cultures and religions, and right in my hometown, Penang is a perfect epitome of such harmony. Jalan Kapitan Keling boasts a mixture of diverse religious houses, with all being adjacent to one another. The road situates the famous Kapitan Keling Mosque, Teochew Ancestral Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Nagore Shrine, and Kuan Yin Teng which is regarded as one of the most important temples in Penang.

These houses of faith stand close to one another and it quickly reminds us of our biggest achievement as Malaysians; our ability to live together without scruff. And as the erection of each monument dates way back in time, with some even from the 1800, history has proven that unity in diversity is not an uncommon practice.

Jalan Kapitan Keling is just one of many instances that flaunt Malaysian harmony. We see it everyday at our nearby local shops, workplaces, and schools. We live and mingle with our friends of different colours and languages like it is our second nature while brothers in other countries are bearing arms upon each other. Like the buildings on Jalan Kapitan Keling, I believe we are able to continue accepting each other’s difference while standing side by side.

And I say, this is one of the nice things we Malaysians enjoy.