This Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season has been somewhat shrouded by a series of high-profile ‘3R’ (religion, race and royalty) incidents that have raised the temperature on social media to be in line with the heatwave most places in our country are facing. These include the offensive socks with the word ‘Allah’ written on them found sold in the KK Super Mart convenience store chain and a symbol allegedly similar to the Arabic calligraphy for the word ‘Allah’ found on a high-heeled shoe by local brand Vern's.
Just look at any random comments section on social media by Malaysian users and you'd bound to find offensive, malicious and even downright seditious comments; painting a picture as if we Malaysians are at war with each other. However, it's important to not be instigated by these malicious assertions as reality is far from what it is depicted on social media, whereby Malaysians of all races are more often than not, kind to each other and live harmoniously.
Nothing exemplifies this more than a recent viral video posted on the Chinese social media site Xiaohongshu by user 阿ko的留学生活 posted on Hari Raya Aidilfitri itself.
In the video, a group of Malay men fully dressed in traditional Baju Melayu outfits can be seen going out of their way to help a group of Chinese road users who got their Proton Iriz stuck in a ditch.
The overlaid text of the video asserts,
“I'm so touched. The car got stuck in a ditch. All the Malaysians passing by came down to help me.”
The caption of the Xiaohongshu post further elaborated on the video, revealing that 3 Chinese women were inside the Proton Iriz when the driver accidentally drove into a ditch on a country road.
Furthermore, the poster said that the selfless actions of the passersby, on the first day of Syawal no less, to help them while in full Baju Melayu really touched their hearts and made them emotional.
A closer look at the video revealed that at least 3 cars parked by the roadside to go and help the road users in need, with an elderly Malay uncle giving instructions on how to get the Proton Iriz out of the tough spot it was in.
It is unknown when and where the accident took place, though given that it was posted on Hari Raya Aidilfitri and that the passersby were all wearing Baju Melayu, it is likely that it happened on Wednesday (10 April).
What is known though, is that the kindness of these passersby will long be remembered by these road users in need.
More importantly, in a time when our differences are being amplified online by irresponsible parties, this video gives a stark reminder of what our country is all about: Unity in diversity.
Hence, this #RAYA2024, let's take the opportunity to celebrate our differences and be kind to each other. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
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