A woman in Sabah is currently receiving a lot of hate online, after she, who is a Muslim woman, visited her Christian grandmother’s grave in Lahad Datu, Sabah, for All Souls Day (November 2).
The MALAYSIA MOST VIRAL X page was among those who shamed the woman for her actions of visiting the Christian cemetery and lighting candles at her grandmother’s grave.
They wrote, “Harmonious much? Stupid for content.”
However, while many others also condemned the woman for participating in All Souls Day, there were also many who supported the woman and pointed out that such incidents are normal in Sabah and Sarawak as it is normal for people there to have multiracial family members.
The woman in question, Si Miss Nena, also took to her TikTok page to call out those who have been condemning her ruthlessly while sharing her side of the story.
In her video, Si Miss Nena explained that she had gone to Lahad Datu for other matters when she was told by her mother that, coincidentally, All Souls Day was around the corner. Her mother then asked if she could represent the family to visit her grandmother’s grave, light some candles and leave some flowers for her grandmother.
“When I visited the graveyard, there were actually other Muslims there in headscarves, who came to visit their family members such as their grandmothers. So, I was told by my mum, she said that she dreamt of her mother (Si Miss Nena’s grandmother) and that she misses her,” Si Miss Nena said.
She added that, while she was at the graveyard, she only lit the candles for her grandmother as told by her mother.
“I didn’t do any rituals or have any intentions to, I just did as I was instructed and I took pictures.”
If you want to say something, say it politely!
She then went on to share a message with locals living in Peninsular Malaysia, as the hate she was receiving online came from West Malaysia.
“In Sabah and Sarawak, this is normal, it is a sign of respect,” she said, adding that from an outside point of view, it may seem like there were intentions to participate in Christian ceremonies but there were no such intentions at all.
She also explained that she initially didn’t know but now understands that it is wrong for Muslims to participate by lighting candles but people commenting on this should learn to convey their messages in a better manner to prevent spreading fear among those of different religions.
“You, as Muslims, there are sentences of tolerance that you can comment with, like, ‘Actually you cannot do this but it’s okay, maybe it was done without intentions‘. But, you’re commenting all kinds of things, like, ‘oh, she’s running away from her faith, murtad lah (she’s turning away from her faith lah),”
“So, you as Muslims should show a good example (by speaking kindly),” she added.
You can check out both her videos here:
@simissnena_ all souls day 🩷🙏🏻 #fyp #simissnena
@simissnena_
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: Feliz Navidad! M’sians Praise Multiracial Christmas Celebration In Sabah
