A different setting: Sely Safura has no qualms about breaking fast at the century-old Tua Pek Kong temple in Tanjung Minyak, Melaka, on the first day of Ramadan.
MELAKA: A single mother didn’t hesitate to break her fast at a Taoist temple in Tanjung Minyak on the first day of Ramadan.
Sely Safura Che Mohamad, 40, said she was asked by temple officials to provide and serve halal food for Muslim guests who were attending the century-old Tua Pek Kong temple’s annual dinner.
“I received a last-minute call from the temple around 1pm,” Sely Safura said.
“The temple’s officials also wanted to ensure that only halal food and utensils were used to serve the Muslims guests and that I would be there to serve them.
“Despite the short notice, I arrived at the temple by 6pm to prepare and only had a light meal to break my fast,” she added.
Raised with values of respect and inclusivity, Sely Safura embraced the opportunity, reflecting her upbringing where she mingled with friends of all backgrounds in school.
“These are the good values instilled in me by my parents,” she said when met at the temple which organises the dinner for community leaders.
With three children aged between 11 and 16, Sely Safura is dedicated to growing her business to provide them with the best educational resources.
Attending this year’s dinner were Mohd Khawari Fazmi Zulkefli as the representative of Melaka housing and local government as well as climate change and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin, Deputy Speaker of the state legislative assembly Kerk Chee Yee and state MCA leader Melvin Chua.
The temple’s secretary Denny Long Wei Siong said Sely Safura prepared dishes for buka puasa for the Muslim guests.
“We also made sure that no beef was served to our Hindu brothers and sisters,” he said adding that the event showcased the temple’s commitment to diversity and communal harmony.
Long said the temple was built by the Peranakan community in the 1900s and is currently managed by the Kwong Fook Association of Melaka.
