Look to the sunshine after the storm and the glorious rainbows

IN this country we do not expect many changes short of a miracle! “Miracles do happen,” so a healing Irish nun says.

After the extraordinarily long period of torrential rains and thunderstorms, the sighting of rainbows in the clouds — one of God’s and indeed Mother Nature’s most magnificent and spectacular phenomena, a universal symbol of hope, inspiration, encouragement and promise that lifts our human spirits — must be a divine intervention.

A new dawn augurs well for us. That good fortune and confidence will assure prosperity for all. Food on the table in abundance.

Today, it seems that we live in a world much divided by concepts of where we come from, where we pray, what we believe, and possibly by the most fundamental divisive force on the planet earth — self-interest.

Being self-centred is doing a lot of harm to the family, society and the country at large. We should consider changing for the better after the blessing of the rainbows in the clouds.

This country may not be playing a major role on the world stage, but in some ways, we have the good fortune to be an example to the challenging world at large.

We seem to be an ethnically diverse nation with a rich history of immigration, leading to a complex society, ranging from urbanised city dwellers to subsistence farmers and forest dwellers.

Although three major ethnic groups, whom some eminent historians claim are earlier migrants, dominate in numbers, we encompass a multiplicity of peoples.

It cannot be denied entirely that there are sometimes latent tensions, as in any plural society, over relative social status, differing levels of opportunity and comparative political influence.

Here in this country, we live in relative peace and harmony. It sets an example for those parts of the world with year-round conflicts now riven by differences to follow. It is indeed an achievement to be proud of and should be celebrated this New Year and at all major national festivals.

We are also a multilingual nation with Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.

Our international trade and overseas connections benefit from the wide use of other languages such as English, whilst local languages such as Iban, Kenyah, Kayan and Bidayuh in Sarawak, Kadazan in Sabah, and the aboriginal languages spoken by the Orang Asli in Malaya bond communities.

Our diversity of languages — so often a divisive force in other parts of this rather challenging world, some of whom are still living in the medieval age — is a strong bond both within our communities and with the world in general. This is peace and goodwill in action that warrants celebration.

Our Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, be it Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, animism, Sikhism or Taoism.

As a nation, we are recognised as being tolerant of the religious beliefs of our fellow citizens, eschewing the intolerance shown so often in other parts of the troubled world. This is another achievement of which we should be proud.

Religious militancy and intolerance in this uncertain world have a long destructive history extending to the present day. Our authorities have shown from time to time that this will not be tolerated in this country.

This protection of our citizens against the ravages experienced elsewhere of rampant religious intolerance and its divisive force is highly commendable, giving peace precedence over war and goodwill over intolerance.

Once again, the concepts of peace and goodwill in action have resulted in the peace and prosperity which we are all enjoying, though interrupted by the global economic downturn starting many years ago and before the present pandemic. The wars against coronavirus and climate change are far from being over.

That all Malaysians can celebrate Hari Raya, Christmas, Lunar New Year, Gawai Dayak, Deepavali, Baha’i, Buddhist and Taoist festivals peacefully and in a civilised manner is a reflection of the wisdom and maturity of all ethnic and religious groups in this multicultural country.

This most significant aspect of this country has made it a comparatively peaceful one in a region where unrest, turmoil and violence are a way of life. For them, we pray that they learn to put aside self-interest and strive to achieve the peace and harmony that they seek.

Let us all give thanks this festive season and every day for this most gracious gift which has allowed us to live in peace and harmony in this uncertain and tumultuous world.

Let us celebrate and give thanks this New Year, hopefully, for the rainbow of our life — of hope, promise, optimism, fairness and happiness.

Never look back, but look forward to the sunshine after the storms and the glorious rainbows.

I wish you all a most fruitful year, wherever you may be.