Malaysians blast suggestion to rename Bon Odori Festival

PETALING JAYA: A suggestion to rename the Bon Odori Festival to "Japanese cultural or societal festival" has riled many Malaysians, who took to social media to question how anyone's faith can be so easily swayed by a foreign cultural event.

"What is the big deal here? The authorities seem to think that we Muslims are so lacking in faith that we are easily swayed by festivities like this?

"Look into more serious things that are plaguing our nation. Enough of this nonsense!" Faridah Ahmad Fadzil commented on Facebook.

ALSO READ: Rename Bon Odori to 'Japanese cultural festival' to prevent confusion, says Perlis Mufti

On Friday (June 10), Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said in a Facebook post that the festival could be renamed as the Japanese cultural or society festival.

Mohd Asri also said police must ensure that no religious elements are present during the festival.

Others who commented on Facebook sarcastically suggested that similar name-changes should be made to all foreign festival celebrations in Malaysia.

"So, every foreign festival has to change their names now, just in case you may be confused?" asked Christopher Kim.

Others said it was rude to rename the culture of another country.

"Who are you to change the name of their culture? This is an insult to the Japanese people," commented Fmcoolest Mustafa.

The issue started when PAS vice president Datuk Idris Ahmad, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), said Muslims should not attend the annual Bon Odori Festival as it had elements of another religion in it.

ALSO READ: Let Bon Odori Festival proceed, Selangor Sultan tells Jais

Idris was subsequently reprimanded by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who ordered the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) not to forbid Muslims to attend the festival.

On Thursday (June 9), the Sultan also suggested that Jais and Shah Alam City Hall officers attend the Bon Odori Festival to get a true picture of the event and ascertain that it did not tarnish the faith of Muslims.

However, both PAS' Ulama Council and its women's wing issued statements late Thursday reiterating that Muslims should not attend the festival.

PAS says it will continue with its call because of concerns of "religious elements" at the Japanese cultural event.

The event has been held here for decades in line with Malaysia's Look East Policy to create a platform of goodwill between Malaysians and the many Japanese businesses that had invested heavily in Selangor.

This year, it is scheduled to be held at the Shah Alam Sports Complex on July 16.