GEORGETOWN: The historic Lebuh Acheh Mosque in Georgetown UNESCO Heritage zone had the annual gathering of faith leaders, heritage lovers, civil society members, tourists, and university students as a show of unity for the ‘Iftar, Buka Puasa Muhibbah’ gathering on 21st March 2025. The Catholic community was represented by His Eminence, Cardinal Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang.
Cardinal Sebastian in his address to the attendees exhorted Fratelli Tutti which is Italian for ‘We are all brothers and sisters”. Cardinal Sebastian in extolling the virtues of the gathering said this gathering is to ‘mahu kenal, mahu cinta, mahu rindu, mahu peduli, mahu berkat’ which is a heartfelt and profound desire for understanding, fraternity and blessing in our society.
Senator Datuk Seri Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa call all gathered at the mosque that we are here to spread peace, understanding and harmony especially during the holy month of Ramadhan. He called on all present to spread the spirit of friendship and togetherness from the Iftar gathering to drown out the noise of intolerance that was portrayed by certain incidents that happened recently. Prof. Dato Seri (Dr) Anwar Fazal, a leading international civil society advocate, also gave an interesting talk on the diversity of Penang from the races, culture, religions and even the trees have diversity. Prof. Dr. Anwar also handed out a pamphlet extolling the Taiping Peace Initiative ‘the Culture of Peace – 99 ways to make it happen’, which is defined as inner peace, peace with other people and peace with the environment.
YB Lim Siew Khim, State EXCO for Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs said that events like this perfectly aligns with the Penang’s vision of fostering harmony and inclusivity. Also in attendance was Paul Au, Harmonico, General Manager and members of the Penang Chapter – Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).
The Lebuh Acheh Mosque (Acheen Street Malay Mosque), built in 1808, sits at the end of Georgetown’s Street of Harmony. The street has the St. George’s Anglican Church, the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple and the Kapitan Keling Mosque.
By Christopher Kushi
