A heartwarming video shared on Tiktok by @iamirashah shows the power of cultural respect and unity shining through as her non-Muslim Indian colleague joins her at a Tahlil ceremony.
For those unfamiliar, a Tahlil ceremony is a Muslim religious gathering held to recite blessings and prayers for the deceased. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and seeking blessings from the Almighty. It is customary for family and friends to come together and offer their prayers.
What makes this video truly special is the sight of Amira’s Hindu colleague dressed in a stunning baju kurung, looking both elegant and sweet. Her choice to embrace the attire not only reflects her respect for the tradition but also signifies her willingness to honour and participate in a different culture.
You can see how they look so comfortable and close with each other, exchanging puns and jokes among themselves.
In an interview with WORLD OF BUZZ, Amira shared her experience of having her Hindu colleague attend the Tahlil ceremony.
“The ceremony was scheduled to start at 6 o’clock. I explained to my colleague that we would begin with a recitation of blessings and tahlil, followed by the Maghrib prayer. This meant that we could only eat after 7 o’clock,” Amira explained.
Amira shared an interesting observation, saying,
“What caught my attention was that she opted for briyani rice with chicken rendang, despite the availability of other dishes such as Chicken Ros, Kamdar Lamb, and Dalca to pair with the briyani rice.”
Typically, rendang is commonly enjoyed with compressed rice or lemang.
Amira added that many people mistakenly assumed she was surprised by her colleague’s choice of rendang due to the meat. However, the rendang served was actually chicken.
She explained to WORLD OF BUZZ,
“This decision was made considering that some of my neighbours and guests are Chinese. So, we excluded beef from the entire menu. All the dishes prepared for the gathering were lovingly made by my family.”
This thoughtful consideration exemplifies the harmony and inclusivity that transcends cultural boundaries.
Netizens couldn’t help but gush over Amira and her Hindu colleague attending the Tahlil ceremony together
“You both are so cute.”
“As long as there’s food, we are all one Malaysia, sis.”
“I love it when a friend is not shy like her, the type of friend who is comfortable being themselves around us.”
The comments poured in, filled with admiration and heartwarming sentiments.
You can watch the video below.
The video of Amira and her colleague shows that through small gestures of acceptance, we can foster a society where different cultures thrive together, just like the flavours of a well-prepared meal.
What are your thoughts about Amira and her colleague? Let us know in the comments below, and may we continue to embrace each other’s traditions with open hearts, celebrating the richness of our cultures.
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