Ponggal is thanksgiving for a good harvest

Jan 23, 2020

By Yiswaree Palansamy,
Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran chastised those who labelled the Ponggal harvest festival a religious one, following an alleged circular cautioning Muslims in schools on how they should limit their participation in the festival.

The Ipoh Barat MP pointed out that the aim of Ponggal is to foster unity among Tamils for the preservation of the community’s culture and literature.

“It is incorrect to label the festival a religious one, as it has no religious significance.

Kulasegaran’s remarks came following a letter which had gone viral on social media.

The letter was allegedly issued by an official from the Education Ministry cautioning Muslims in schools on the limits of their participation in the Ponggal celebration.

The circular was issued purportedly based on the opinions of the  Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

Another DAP leader, party Socialist Youth National Vice-Chief Muhammad Shakir Ameer said in a separate statement that there was nothing wrong with Muslims attending festivals of those from different faiths.

Shakir said that after entering politics and being appointed a local councillor in Selangor, he had the opportunity to engage better with other communities and bridge differences.

“I was born as a Muslim in a traditional Indian Muslim family. Growing up in Penang, which is a multicultural city, allowed me to experience and celebrate those festivals together with my friends. All this does not make me less Muslim at all but it certainly has made me more Malaysian.

“The Ponggal celebration is celebrated mainly by the South Indian  community. I was made to understand it is a festival celebrated to show appreciation for a successful harvest.

“Reference is made to the recent letter by the Deputy Director General of Education dated January 13, 2020 to all Directors of Education at state level. The said letter referred to the Jakim meeting on April 8 and April 9 2019 which decided that it is forbidden for Muslims to join Ponggal festival, especially in the cooking of Ponggal rice, due to it being ‘a religious celebration by the Hindus’, which isn’t true,” Shakir said, adding that the specific guidelines on how Muslims should conduct themselves when participating in Ponggal celebrations are also unnecessary.

He added that the said letter also gives the impression that the Education Ministry takes instructions from Jakim instead of the acting education minister, who is Prime  Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who took over the portfolio after the abrupt resignation of Maszlee Malik.

“Jakim may have its point of view, but the government must ensure that religious and racial har mony is protected at all cost. We don’t need special guidelines on inter cultural participation or practices with various communities. Islam does not discriminate but preaches peace to all,” Shakir added. --Malay Mail