A journey of interfaith understanding

Mar 28, 2025

SHAH ALAM: Confirmation students from the Church of the Divine Mercy recently embarked on a meaningful trip to visit three places of worship. This provided a wonderful opportunity for our young people to witness firsthand how individuals of different faiths practise their beliefs. In our multi-religious and multi-racial society, this experience holds special significance.

Some of these students may one day find themselves engaged in interfaith relationships, and this visit offered them a valuable chance to develop a deeper understanding and respect for other faith traditions. Over the past ten years at catechism, they have studied our Catholic faith in depth, and this visit gave them a brief yet enlightening glimpse into the religious practices of others in our community.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Sri Muda
Our first visit was to a Hindu temple, where we were warmly welcomed with great hospitality. The building was vibrant and colourful, with stunning architecture that depicted various Hindu deities. A guided tour was arranged by the temple management, and the leader took time to explain the significance of the deities and the rituals practised there. As teachers are highly respected in the Hindu faith, the catechists were honoured with garlands and shawls as a mark of respect. We were also fortunate to witness a Hindu catechism session in progress, showcasing the temple’s role as a vibrant and central hub for the Hindu community. Light refreshments were served at the end of our visit.

Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, Shah Alam
Our next stop was the majestic mosque in the heart of Shah Alam, the largest mosque in Malaysia, featuring four beautiful minarets. It has the capacity to accommodate 24,000 worshippers at once. Our visit began at the education centre, where we were warmly greeted by an African staff member who had converted to Islam from Christianity. A truly special moment occurred when one of our students beautifully explained the story of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. It was a privilege to witness this touching moment, which reinforced the importance of educating our children about the Catholic faith, as they will be the future witnesses for Jesus Christ.

During our visit, we also received a brief explanation about the Friday prayers, along with a demonstration of the prayers performed.

Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak, Shah Alam
Our final visit was to the Sikh Temple, where we learned about the origins of the Sikh faith. The word “Sikh” means disciple, and the faith was founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region during the 15th century. Sikhs believe in one God, equality, social justice, and service to humanity. We were graciously treated to a vegetarian lunch, and some of the boys even enjoyed a friendly game of football with members of the Sikh community before returning to CDM.

The visit was an eye-opening experience, offering us insight into the other religions in Shah Alam. It was a privilege to witness how other faiths worship and praise God. We realised that, despite our differences, we have much in common. Faith teaches us to respect and understand others’ perspectives, fostering peace and harmony in our communities.

One of our students, Daniel Aidan Soosay, shared as follows:

“It gave me a better understanding how other people worship God. No matter how other religions picture God or practise different rituals, we all love God the same way. Everyone in each place was so friendly, and that’s what God created us for; giving or sharing our love.” --Tom Martin