KUALA PILAH, Aug 24 (Sin Chew Daily) — Taking wedding photos at a Chinese temple is getting popular among non-Chinese in the country.

With a grandiose building and magnificent vista, the Ninth God Emperor's Temple in Kuala Pilah has attracted many Malay couples to take their wedding photographs there in recent years.

They do not have religious taboos to have their wedding photo taken with the Kuala Pilah Chinese temple as backdrop.

Such a trend is now taking place at various places across the country.

For instance, a Malay couple in traditional Chinese wedding costumes took their wedding photographs at a Chinese temple in Bintulu, Sarawak last year.

The Ninth God Emperor's Temple in Kuala Pilah shares the pictures of several Malay couples taking their wedding pictures there on its Facebook page.

In less than a day, the post was shared by more than 4,000 fans with 2,000 likes.

Apart from Chinese, Malays also commented on the post, an indication of the 1 Malaysia spirit regardless of race and religion.

Zheng Zhu Xi, chairman of the Nine God Emperor's Temple, said Malay couples started to have their wedding photos taken at the temple few years ago.

He said the temple committee welcomes non-Chinese newlyweds to take pictures at the temple. Some entertainment companies have also been shooting music videos at the temple.

"The temple welcomes non-Chinese to visit the temple and take photos, as this will help promote interracial harmony in Malaysia," said Zheng.

Temple committee secretary Zheng Jin De said many Malay couples had taken their wedding photos at the temple, making it a popular wedding photo shooting spot among the Malays.

"Apart from Malay newlyweds, Chinese newlyweds also take their wedding photos at the temple," said Jin De.

He said the committee would embark on an expansion plan to make the temple even more attractive.

Hasnita, who took her wedding photos at the temple, said she was fascinated by the structure of the temple whenever she passed by it.

Sazwan, 25-year-old factory worker from Kuala Lumpur, said the temple was about 20 minutes' drive from his wife's home in Kepis. She used to drive past the temple but never visited it once.

The couple tied the knot on August 14, holding a simple wedding reception at Hasnita's home. They initially planned to take their wedding photos at a paddy field but changed the plan last minute.

"I suggested to take our photos at the temple since my wife was so impressed by the building and our photographers had no objection to it," said Sazwan.

He said they spent more than one hour completing the photo-shooting at the temple.

It was their first time entering the temple compound after seeking permission from the temple committee for photo shooting.

"We are attracted by the building as well as the view," said Sazwan.

Many have asked for the location of the temple after they posted their wedding photos on Facebook.

"Until now we have not yet received any negative feedback from social media users. The focus is on the spectacular scene. No one has linked it to religious taboos.

"We do not need to have special thoughts when entering the temple compound. Mutual respect is most important here," he concluded.