Ability To Celebrate Major Religious Festivals Makes M'sia A Natural Proponent For GMM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- The ability of Malaysia to celebrate all major religious and cultural festivals of the world as a nation, makes the country a natural proponent for the establishment of the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM). Charge D'Affaires of Malaysia to the United Nations (UN), Saiful Azam Martinus Abdullah said the movement is meant to support and complement the various similar initiatives worldwide. "In particular, Malaysia looks foward to working closely with the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAoC), for the benefits of all member states of the UN," he said in his statement at the UN Vesak Day celebration at the UN General Assembly in New York Monday. The statement was made available to Bernama. "We look forward to the support of member states in this endeavour, as all of us here today can surely agree with Malaysia that moderation in all its aspects is the only sustainable way foward for the international community," he said. Meanwhile, Saiful Azam said Malaysia wishes to see more celebrations, such as the Vesak Day, to be celebrated at the UN as the UN is best positioned to be the platform for finding common grounds among the countries, for the betterment of the future. "Malaysia stands ready to support this endeavour," he said. He said the holy day of Vesak is celebrated in Malaysia, like in many other countries worldwide and it has been declared a national celebration and a public holiday in Malaysia since 1962. Saiful Azam said the national celebration is manifestation of Malaysia's long history of close interaction between peoples of different faiths and cultures. "Malaysia as a nation takes pride in our diversity as it brings strength to the nation as a whole in a spirit of 1Malaysia," he added. -- BERNAMA