TAIPING, Apr 16 – The Vasakhi festival celebrated by the Sikh community can foster unity and understanding among people of various races in the country, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Aziz. Vasakhi highlights the tradition of the Sikh community in Malaysia to domestic and foreign tourists, including ‘Langar’ in which free food is given to the poor regardless of race, religion, beliefs and backgrounds.
“Such a noble value not only educate the younger generation to always help the poor but encourage a sense of humility and gratitude for the blessings that we have. The Sikh community has a rich and interesting tradition,” he said when speaking at the Vasakhi Open House 2017 at Dataran Warisan Taiping, here tonight.
Mohamad Nazri said the Sikhs migrated to Malaya in the 1870s and Taiping was one of the earliest settlement for the Sikhs in Malaysia. He said in addition to being members of the police and military, Sikhs have become professionals such as doctors and lawyers and served as government officials and also in the private sector.
He hopes the Vasakhi festival can be held in Taiping every year and not just this year, held in conjunction with Visit Perak Year 2017. He also added that this event is surely a tourist attraction to Taiping and a catalyst for more positive things, not only for the Sikh community, but also for the people of Taiping and Perak. — Bernama
