Friday, August 5, 2011

...... of "Dato Kong"



Yours Sincerely ( Y S ) is by nature very observant, and being observant, one cannot help noticing things. To the left of the main road by the side of Y S' house stands a shrine. It used to be a very samll one with just an urn of joss sticks and a plague identifying the "saint" as a "Dato Kong", simply translated as " Great Great Grand Father."

Of late a number of devotees are seen praying at this shrine. The site is kept clean. Once a year, a tent would be erected at the site and a feast is held in honour of the "Dato Kong." Some superstitious people driving by would clapse their hand in prayers respecting the shrine.

It did not dawn on Y S that this particular shrine is dedicated to a Muslim "Dato Kong" until a notice specifying the fasting times and prayer times at this shrine. Wow, what a great country we live in. This is 1Malaysia of the most unique kind. We can live together if we can accept one another at face value, and not be manipulated by those who seek to benefit from our disunity.

So, look around your neighbourhood. There are interesting things to discover.

3 comments:

AJ7 said...

I had a good laugh... this is so Chinese. Practical!!! LOL,

Thomas C B Chua said...

AJ 7, these people are still searching. How can we reach out to them???

footiam said...

I thought Dato is Malay. I have seen one (statue) wearing a songkok. It's good to be able to respect what which is not ours. How many people can stoop so low and stand so high?