AMEIA event focuses on importance of peace

The annual AMEIA (Archdiocesan Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs) Ecumenical Event was held at the Good Shepherd Church (GSC) with the theme of peace.

Nov 10, 2019

By Charmaine Amanda
The annual AMEIA  (Archdiocesan Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs) Ecumenical Event was held at the Good Shepherd Church (GSC) with the theme of peace.

It kicked off with a dance by the youth of GSC. Youths from all the different races were on stage, dancing to the tune of Saya Anak Malaysia.

Then Shalet Perix, the chairperson of AMEIA spoke on the current tumultuous state of the world and how it needs peace, now more than ever. She raised an important point about the power of prayer and its ability to bring peace, both within ourselves and to others.

YB Tuan Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, Member of Parliament for Setiawangsa, in his speech, illustrated the peace that should exist amongst different religions as he talked about his multifaith upbringing. His father was a very religious Muslim and yet sent Tuan Nik to a Lasallian school where he met and mingled with those of the Christian faith. He furthered his studies in a Christian-owned college in London, pursuing them.

Throughout it all, he emphasised that, despite being of a different faith from the majority of the people around him for the most part, that never stopped him from enjoying his years spent getting an education and he made many dear friends of different beliefs through out that time. He concluded by saying that difference in beliefs should never be a deterrent to peace amongst the people, even more important in a multicultural society like in Malaysia.

Following that, the Myanmar youth community of Good Shepherd Church gave a performance, first a dance and then a choir performance. The dance highlighted the unique aspects of the Myanmar culture and was a sight to watch but it was the choir  that truly struck a chord.

Every song selected was chosen because of their profound meanings and how they relate  to the struggles of the Myanmar youths back home.

Before every song, one of the Myanmar youths would tell a bit about their life story back in their country and how the song related to it. They spoke of the abject poverty they lived in, the perils they experienced in coming to Malaysia and finally finding a place of peace. Each song they sang reflected that longing for peace and their elation at finding it.

Archbishop Julian Leow then took centre stage. The main point of his speech was that our duty as Catholics is to bring peace  everywhere around us. We have been baptised as  children of God, have been given the Good News and with that grace to evangelise to bring the Good News to others, to preach the Gospel, to bring peace where there is war.

To quote Archbishop Leow, “where there is hatred we are told to bring light”. This is our purpose as Catholics.

GSC parish priest Fr Christopher Soosaipillai also spoke of peace but tied it in to his own experience at GSC and the experiences of everyone who lived out their Christian faith within its walls.

He talked about the efforts of the parishioners, both young and old, in carrying out their duty as Catholics and spoke of his appreciation for them.

Then the youths of GSC used the tune of The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli for their next performance. The lights were turned off and the youths went around carrying candles, signifying the hope and peace of God being spread to everyone.

The second performance was a dance while the song Heal The World by Michael Jackson played in the background.

Finally, photography session was held. It is hoped that this event will bring Catholics closer together and inspire them to be closer to their brethren of different faiths and beliefs, doing their duty as Catholics and spreading the Good News.

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