EASTER MARCH IN KAJANG

The Star, Wednesday May 18, 2011 

Churches hold joint march to demonstrate religious tolerance

By CHARLES FERNANDEZ

TRAFFIC in Kajang came to a temporary halt on Saturday evening when over 2,000 members from 30 churches in the Hulu Langat district participated in the Combined Churches Easter March and Rally 2011.

Held a week after Easter, the annual event this year was themed “One in Christ”.

The two-hour peace rally saw adults, children and even the disabled, attired in red T-shirts, showing up in full support of the march that began at 4pm.

Among the churches involved were Kajang Assembly of God, St. Katherine’s Anglican Church, Church of the Holy Family, Tamil Methodist Church Semenyih, Peace Assembly of God Dengkil and other regular participating churches from Balakong, Bangi Lama, Alam Jaya, Cheras and Seri Kembangan.

The march began and ended at the Community Hall in Kajang town and with the help of a large number of police outriders and traffic police, the march proceeded smoothly.

 

Never too young: A participant even brought a child for the march in Kajang.

Kajang Assembly of God (KAOG) senior pastor Rev Chan Nam Chen said the aim of the rally was to pray for God’s blessings for the country and to demonstrate religious tolerance.

The procession made its way through Kajang town, stopping at intervals to recite prayers in the main languages — Tamil, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.

“There was no fixed agenda. We just prayed for the overall well-being of the country and its citizens, that they will enjoy peace, harmony and a good relationship among the various races,’’ added Rev Chan.

Banners proclaiming spiritual messages in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and Mandarin were hoisted high while songs of praise accompanied by tambourines were sung.

The peace rally also received the support of passers-by who cheered the participants carrying various coloured flags, placards and banners.

The rally ended at the community hall where most of the participants took part in a short fellowship and cleaning of the hall.

Rev Chan said the peace rally, which started more than two decades ago, started off small and over the years grew in numbers.

“It used to be a small procession and was held yearly in the initial stages. It became a biennial event not long ago when the number of participants and churches increased. The procession too became longer,’’ added Rev Chan.

Rev Chan, who is the organising chairman, said he was expecting a bigger crowd at the next Easter march in 2013.