Interfaith prayer service to kick off Sarawak Day celebration

BINTULU (July 18): This year’s Sarawak Day celebration here promises to be a grand affair, with a number of programmes taking place leading up to July 22 and on the day itself.

Kicking off the celebration is an interfaith prayer service on July 20 organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), bringing together Christians, Buddhists, Taoists, Sikhs, Hindus and Baha’is in a harmonious display of unity and respect.

Adding to the spiritual aspect of the celebration is a thanksgiving ceremony for Muslims on Sunday.

On July 22, the Sarawak Day celebration will begin with a 15km fun ride starting from the civic centre, with Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom joining some 800 cyclists.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is also scheduled to officiate the Sarawak Methanol Complex in Tanjung Kidurong.

Also taking place is a townhall session at the Universiti Putra Malaysia campus here, where some 1,300 people will discuss Sarawak’s development and future of the state.

The main event at the grounds of the Old Bintulu Airport in the evening will be graced by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Abang Johari, featuring a variety of performances including pantomime shows and the much-anticipated Gema Sarawak performance.

A concert featuring artistes from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia including Dayang Nurfaizah, Bob Yusuf, Melissa Francis, Daus Eli, Roxy Ixzy, Chien Ng, Suleiman Usop and Jackson Michael will surely fire up the crowd.

Also taking the stage are Tuku Kame, Akoustik Connexion, Kumpulan JKKN Sarawak, Kelab Asal Main Dayak, Majestic Shades Dancers Bintulu, and Kumpulan Teater.

The celebration will culminate with a fireworks display that will light up the Bintulu sky, symbolising the pride and unity of Sarawak’s people.

Those unable to join in the celebration can catch it live on state-owned broadcaster TVS and on the social media platforms of the Sarawak Public Communications Unit.