Bon Odori festivalgoers celebrate opportunity for cultural exposure

SHAH ALAM – The Bon Odori festival marked an exciting start for many locals as they look forward to some semblance of normalcy coming out of the pandemic.

Adding to the rich tapestry of Malaysia’s multiracial and multicultural history, the festival celebrates Malaysian-Japanese ties.

Thousands of Malaysians thronged the festivities at the Shah Alam National Sports complex here today, despite earlier controversies involving discouraging Muslims from attending the event.

Festival attendee Mohd Azneal, 34, said Bon Odori was a great opportunity for him to expose his young family to other cultures.

“It would be a waste if I don’t take this opportunity to show my kids of what Japanese culture is rather than them being stuck with the cliche of animes or any other stereotypes shown on TV.

“Bon Odori provides a window into Japanese culture. It’s better they enjoy the festivities for themselves,” he said.

Azneal had brought along his 61-year-old mother, his wife and two daughters aged 7 and 10.

When asked about the recent controversies surrounding the festivities, Azneal simply shrugged them off and stated, “Let’s leave symbolic gestures to people who lack understanding.”

At the event, a security personnel, who requested anonymity, indicated that more than 10,000 people have attended the festival tonight.

“I think coming out of the pandemic, people are just looking at every avenue to celebrate as the last two years have been very... well, depressing to say the least.

“So it’s not a surprise that a huge number of people turned out today.”

He also did not discount the effect of the controversy, which has given free press to the festival.

“Well, bad publicity is still publicity. The festival got a lot of attention from that and maybe the effect can be seen well enough today,” he added.

Another attendee, Raymond Ooi, 51, said he has been attending the Bon Odori celebration for the past decade prior to the pandemic.

Having worked in Japan before in his twenties, Ooi remains fascinated with Japanese culture and often takes short holidays there.

“Japan holds sentimental value for me. With the pandemic and travel restrictions, festivals like this bring back some sense of melancholy during my time there.

“For some, it may be just a festival, but I always appreciate the festivities held here. In some small way, it brings Japan into the country.

“It’s also fun to be a part of. So what’s not to love?”

Last month, religious affairs minister Datuk Idris Ahmad advised Muslims not to participate in the Japanese festival as it contains elements of other religions and could lead to confusion, affecting the Muslims’ beliefs.

This, he had said, was based on studies and the views of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

His remarks then ignited a firestorm and intense public debate, which was somewhat put to rest after Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah decreed that the state Islamic Religious Department (Jais) should not obstruct anyone from attending the event.

The sultan also warned Idris not to issue confusing and inaccurate statements that would undermine Jakim’s image and reputation, and suggested that the minister attend the festival to see for himself the difference between culture and religion.

Sultan Sharafuddin had ordered Jais and Shah Alam City Council officers to attend the programme as well.

Despite this, PAS defied the ruler, with its ulama council and the women’s wing doubling down on discouraging Muslims from participating in the event, saying it contains elements of Buddhist rituals.

Subsequently, PAS appeared to back down after its state commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi was summoned for an audience with the sultan over the festival. – The Vibes, July 16, 2022