Harmony Reflected in Deepavali Visit by Multi-Ethnic Women’s Association

22 October 2025

KENINGAU: A spirit of unity and goodwill shone brightly when members of the Keningau Town Women’s Line Dance Group, comprising women from various ethnic backgrounds, made a Deepavali visit to the home of a local resident recently.

Led by Norjan Abdul Hamid, the visit aimed to strengthen ties among the district’s multi-ethnic communities and promote a sense of togetherness in celebrating cultural and religious diversity.

Also joining the visit were several members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Women’s Ministry from Toboh Baru, who enlivened the celebration with their warm presence and strong support for community bonding efforts.

According to Christina Mangga, a representative from the SDA Women’s Ministry, festive occasions like Deepavali provide an excellent opportunity for people to appreciate and learn about each other’s customs and traditions.

“Festivals such as Deepavali allow us to understand one another’s uniqueness. This is the foundation of harmony that our community takes pride in,” she said.

Meanwhile, Suresh Ramalingam, the host, expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a symbol of true friendship and unity among Malaysians.

The programme was also attended by local community leaders and featured a luncheon with a variety of traditional Deepavali delicacies such as maruku and assorted sweets. Guests exchanged festive hampers, while the host distributed “Deepavali angpow” as a gesture of friendship.

Initiatives like this are seen as vital in reinforcing harmony and mutual respect among different communities, key pillars of social stability and peace in Keningau.