KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — A video depicting the band of a Catholic church in Keningau, Sabah playing a Hari Raya song after Sunday mass yesterday drew praises from viewers online.
In a 27-second video posted on Facebook, the church band is seen playing an instrumental version of the Suasana Hari Raya song.
“It’s Hari Raya and we wanted to enjoy the festivities, and at the same time we wanted to show that it is not wrong to play a Hari Raya song in a church to mark the occasion,” Holy Family Pilgrimage Centre Nulu Sosopon church choir leader Harry Wong told the Star Online news portal.
The video also showed several people removing candles from the altar as the band played the song.
Wong reportedly said that he was surprised the video went viral online, adding that playing festive songs was a norm in the church.
The video was originally shared by Facebook user Melissa James Madan, and has obtained more than 11,000 views and 400 shares so far.
Facebook user Ryn MusIndra Soong said such gestures were an example of how close the people in Sabah were.
“I am proud to be from Sabah. We are made up of different races and religion but we respect each other. Although we are not from the same religion, but we come from the same roots ... Keep up this spirit for the next generation,” One’z Afiq said on Facebook.
Muslims in Malaysia celebrated the first day of Aidil Fitri on Sunday.
