‘O Holy Night’ echoes through Kuching city as Christians usher in holiday season

Sea of crowd carolling during "A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity" at Padang Merdeka, Kuching on Dec 3, 2023.

By Shikin Louis & Chris Lidom

KUCHING, Dec 4: The enchanting melody of ‘O Holy Night’ echoed throughout the heart of Kuching city as Christians gathered for a mass Christmas carolling at Padang Merdeka last night (Dec 3).

The beautiful symphony of joy was contributed by the voices of about 2,500 participants in the spirit of ushering in the holiday season.

“A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity” participants photographed at Padang Merdeka, Kuching on Dec 3, 2023. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas)

Other Christmas songs performed that night included ‘Feliz Navidad’, ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’, ‘Carols of the Bells’, ‘Deck the Halls’, ’12 Days of Christmas’, and ‘Last Christmas’.

Apart from the singing, most participants can be seen donning white shirts, blouses, and dresses topped with Santa hats or reindeer headbands.

Despite not having much room in the crowd, participants can be seen enjoying the Christmas carols as many swayed their bodies side to side and waved their hands.

Some can also be seen peeking from a book, a paper and even on their mobile phone screen for the lyrics as they sang with the rest of the band.

A dance performance that accompanied the Christmas carols.

The ‘A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity’ event was organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) and supported by the State-owned television channel TVS. It will be aired on the television channel on Dec 23.

The event was also officially inducted into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the largest Christmas carol gathering in the country, with 2,479 participants.

Dr Sim (in yellow shirt) and other guests and participants photographed in front of a large Christmas tree in conjunction with “A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity” at Padang Merdeka, Kuching on Dec 3, 2023. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas)

Prior to the Christmas carol, Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian officiated the event by lighting a large Christmas tree in front of the Plaza Merdeka shopping mall.

Also present were Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan; Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng; Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Datuk Jack Aman Luat, and Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Simon Po. — DayakDaily