We will usher in the Year of the Snake in a few days’ time. Many can’t wait to travel home to celebrate the festive season with their families.

Loud, auspicious cheers have started to echo in the air surrounding dining tables featuring Malaysia’s unique and ubiquitous CNY dish, yee sang, remarkably boosting the festive mood all across the local Chinese community.

The same festive atmosphere is also felt throughout Raya and Thaipusam seasons every year.

When we celebrate these festivities together, we not only share our joy, but also grow our friendship, close the gap between ethnic groups, and promote peaceful coexistence.

This is what we call the spirit of unity and our commitment to intercultural tolerance.

We remind one another through such celebrations that confrontation is futile, but unity our forte.

In day-to-day life, be it in language, food, or culture, such conviction has been deeply ingrained in our shared existence.

To me, where there is love, everything is halal!

My childhood house in Muar, Johor, was surrounded by Malay neighbors. In the first morning of every Chinese New Year, our Malay neighbors would invariably bring us trays of ketupat, mouthwatering satay sauce, chicken rendang and homemade kuih. And my family enjoyed these delicacies tremendously!

In return, my father would offer a tray of eggs as a token of appreciation.

This neighborly love has since made it to the warmest memories of my childhood.

As I grew up and started my working life, I moved several times and eventually settled in Serdang, Selangor – and again, with Malays as my neighbors, who during the past ten years would drop by to send their CNY greetings year after year.

I would specially prepare nasi lemak, nasi dagang and other halal dishes for them.

Their family spanning three generations would come in their best attire to celebrate the festive afternoons with us, with lots of food and endless laughter.

In addition to giving angpaos to their children, I would also prepare a bucket of the famous Muar Sai Kee 434 coffee powder for my guests.

And on Hari Raya day, it would then be their turn to cook and prepare their best dishes to entertain our family.

These cozy open house events have evolved into a lasting tradition between my family and my neighbors.

My neighbors would never question whether the food served to them is halal, because they know very well that I would do my best to get the tastiest halal food for them.

Again, this proves that where there is love, everything is halal!

Most importantly, because of such interactions, a bridge of trust has been erected between us!

To me, halal is more than just a religious requirement, it is a symbol of respect and tolerance, in line with the principle of “do not to others what you don’t want others to do to you.”

Unfortunately, irresponsible politicians have in recent years been doing their utmost to undermine the trust already established between Malaysia’s diverse ethnic communities by exploiting a plethora of sensitive issues, inciting hatred and suspicion, creating divisions, and sowing the seed of confrontation that will one day tear our society apart.

Instead of resolving our differences through mutual understanding and tolerance, politicians have wickedly spawned ethnic confrontation and animosity in a bid to advance their evil agendas.

Looking back, halal was never an issue when we walked hand in hand together. We shared the same table comfortably: I savored my bak kut teh, and you enjoyed your nasi lemak, sharing bits and pieces of life freely and treating one another with genuine sincerity.

Unfortunately, things feel less halal these days; even sitting together for a meal could appear to be a burden!

Today, Muslims here hardly step into a Chinese coffee shop! On the contrary, our fellow Malaysians across the South China Sea would pride themselves in declaring: “We are different!”

The ethnic harmony there has become a role model and envy for people all over Malaysia.

To me, halal is more than just a religious requirement, it is a symbol of respect and tolerance, in line with the principle of “do not to others what you don’t want others to do to you.”

Simply put, we will never treat our Muslim friends with non-halal food whatsoever, if we respect their religion. In a similar manner, Muslims who understand the true meaning of respect will accept non-Muslim friends seated at the same table enjoying the food of their choice!

Obsessed with prejudice and distrust, some in Peninsular Malaysia now find themselves unable to tolerate even the slightest dissimilarity.

Malaysia is blessed with so many joyful festivities, and all ethnic communities here should treasure such opportunity to establish unity through love.

We must learn to accept our differences with an open mind, resolve any conflict that stands our way with love and tolerance, eliminate suspicion, and make diversity a source of our pride.

Everything starts with the first step. Browse through the address book in your phone and take the initiative to invite your Malay or Indian friends to your home this festive season!

As for you, our valued readers, drive carefully as you head home in the coming days.

I wish you all a safe journey home and a blessed family reunion!