Penyayang launches programme to boost integration

By FARIDAH BEGUM

KUALA LUMPUR: When Nori Abdullah was growing up and attending public schools, she had friends of all races.

"My non-Muslim friends would offer me a place to pray in their homes and during the fasting month, they would even adjust mealtimes so that I could break my fast at the right time, and with them and their families.

"Sadly, these things are no longer usual for us as we are talking about racial and social integration. Why do we have to talk about it in a multiracial setting like the one in our country?" she said during a press conference after the Gegar U! Colours of Our Nation launch by Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed at Universiti Malaya here yesterday.

Role model: Siti Nurhaliza singing the theme song of Warna Warna Malaysia during the launching of the programme, as (from right) Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim, Mustapa and Nori look on. — Bernama

Nori, who is the daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was accompanied by her husband, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamalluddin.

Passionate about social integration and welfare, she is continuing the works of her late mother, Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood, who was the founder of Penyayang.

Nori stressed that the programme was thought of to ensure that the unique ingredient of Malaysia's multiracial, multilingual community was not lost.

The event, themed A Symbol of Unity, was conceptualised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang, of which Nori is the chairman. The event will run for the next 50 days, with a one-day UnityFest being held at the 16 universities.

Among the programmes that would be showcased during the UnityFest are The Gallery, where historical events in the country over the past 50 years would be displayed, and Snapshots of Unity, a photo contest for undergraduates to express themselves.

The top three entries from each university will pit for the RM5,000 cash prize at The Unity Youth Community Challenge at the Penang International Sports Arena between Aug 16 and 18.

Also present at the event were three Malaysian youth personalities – Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, radio deejay Jasoh Loh and the lone woman astronaut hopeful Vanaja Sivasubramaniam, who each gave their brand of inspiration to the several thousand undergraduates who attended the launch.