I would like to wish all Christians a Merry Christmas.  May this season bring joy and happiness to all Christians and enable all Malaysians to share and celebrate together in harmony.

The past year has been very challenging with differences and disputes plaguing many societies.  Malaysia too has its own share of challenges, given our diversity and complexity.

I understand that the Bible says, “Thou shall love thy neighbour as thy self.”  This is the true spirit of inclusiveness which should continue to be the basis for harmony and unity in diversity, through seeking reconciliation and amicable solutions for various issues of concern, including those related to religion.

I trust that festive seasons such as Christmas will continue to serve as an opportunity to encourage all moderate Malaysians from all religious beliefs and all walks of life to stand together to jointly combat extremism and other social and ecological ills. I believe that our commitment to build a just and equitable nation in the spirit of 1Malaysia can and will prevail.

Hence, all of us, leaders in the clergy and civil society, public and private sectors, must continue our positive and constructive engagement to achieve deeper understanding and to operationalise our commitment to inclusiveness, moderation and compassion in discharging our various responsibilities in our everyday life.

Merry Christmas and Salam 1Malaysia!

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