Latest news with #Danald
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Gawai Festival: A time to celebrate unity and harmony in Sarawak, says churches association
KUCHING: The Gawai celebration is an opportunity to foster and strengthen mutual understanding, respect and acceptance among Sarawakians, says the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS). Its chairman, Datuk Danald Jute, said Sarawak's peace and harmony should not be taken for granted but continue to be preserved through hard work. "Hence, we encourage everyone to embrace and join in our unique tradition of 'ngabang' or open house so we can bolster and fortify our bonds of friendship," he said in his Gawai message on Saturday (May 31). Gawai is a harvest festival celebrated by Sarawak's Dayak community on June 1-2. Extending Gawai greetings to the Dayak community, Danald said Gawai was a thanksgiving celebration for the blessings and rich harvest of the past year. "Gawai also celebrates our rich and diverse cultures, which add colours to our nation as well as strength to our communities," he said. Danald also called for a meaningful celebration of Gawai and cautioned against overspending or overindulgence.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
ACS extends Gawai Dayak greetings, urges unity and moderation
Danald Jute KUCHING (May 31): The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) has extended its warmest and prayerful greetings to the Dayak community in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak celebration. ACS chairman, the Rt Rev Datuk Danald Jute, said Gawai is, by nature, a thanksgiving celebration and a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year. 'We have countless blessings and manifold good favours to celebrate and to thank God for, including the rich harvests of the past year as well as God's goodness that we can look forward to in the years ahead,' he said. He added that Gawai is also a celebration of the nation's rich and diverse cultures, which contribute strength to communities and vibrancy to the country. While acknowledging the peace and harmony enjoyed in Sarawak, Danald reminded the public not to take such unity for granted. 'Gawai is an opportunity to further foster and strengthen mutual understanding, respect and acceptance. 'Hence, we encourage everyone to embrace and join in our unique tradition of ngabang or open house, so we can bolster and fortify our bonds of friendship,' he said. As the community celebrates, Danald also urged moderation and mindfulness, warning against overspending and overindulgence. 'There is no need to overspend nor is there any profit in overindulgence, especially in alcohol. 'Instead, consider, for example, our children's education as well as the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves,' he said. Above all, Danald called for the celebration to be one of rededication to God. 'Let this Gawai be a time of rededication to our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, whose nature is always to have mercy and whose desire is for us to be reconciled to Him and to one another,' he added.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
St Augustine's Church Mission District at Kpg Mambong elevated to 49th Anglican parish
Danald signs the plaque to signify St Augustine Mambong Parish while others witness. KUCHING (May 25) The St Augustine's Church Mission District at Kampung Mambong was officially declared the 49th parish under the Anglican Diocese of Kuching yesterday. The proclamation was made by Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Datuk Danald Jute during a special prayer service at the church, attended by about 800 congregants. 'Today is a (significant) day for all of us as children of God. Today is the elevation of our Mission District to a Parish. 'I am very grateful that those present today are not only from Kampung Mambong and surrounding villages, but also the state government leadership, represented by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, and community leaders,' he said. Danald, leaders of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, and the congregation in a photo call. The elevation aims to meet the needs of the people through pastoral ministry while at the same time creating a greater sense of belonging within a church family where friendship and opportunities to make a difference will continue to grow. 'Indeed, being a Parish, no matter how small, no matter how good the house of God is, this is our home, we are grateful and as we often hear, our home is our heaven. The same goes when we become a Parish,' he continued. 'Hallelujah, I thank God and God's blessings will definitely be real. I hope from here, (God's blessings) will overflow to others.' Danald plants a belian tree to symbolically open St Augustine's Mambong Parish while others witness. Danald encouraged the new Parish to hold activities such as seminars, fellowships and Bible studies, which must be organised and systematic. With the appointment, the St Augustine's Mambong Parish now includes six churches, namely St Francis Petag Church, St Monica Bangau, St Alban Sitang, St Matthias Kampung Sinar Baru, St Edmund Tabuan Rabak and St Clement, Patung. Established in the 1930s, St Augustine's Mambong started as a small church under the Parish of St Paul Benuk before being upgraded to a new Mission District under the Diocese of Kuching in 2024.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
A beacon of peace and unity
Pride of Kuching: The Unifor Complex is a symbol of Sarawak's unity in diversity. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The Unifor (Unit for Other Religions) Complex, which stands prominently at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here, is not only a new landmark but a symbol of Sarawak's unity in diversity, say religious leaders. Although the building is not yet operational, it embodies the spirit of harmony and mutual respect among the various faiths in the state. 'The Unifor Complex is a testament to Sarawak's commitment to multireligious and multicultural harmony, unity and understanding,' Anglican Bishop of Kuching Datuk Danald Jute said. He said the complex would facilitate more interfaith activities and interactions, leading to better understanding, acceptance and respect. 'In this way, we can build bridges together between communities as we promote cooperation on common goals,' he said. The RM73mil Unifor Complex was completed in October last year when the occupation permit was handed over to the Unifor Charitable Trust's board of trustees. It comprises a nine-storey office tower with a rooftop green space, convention facilities and commercial spaces. Office renovation works are ongoing and the complex is expected to open by the third quarter of this year, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said. He said both Unifor – a government agency under the Sarawak Premier's Department – and the Unifor Charitable Trust, which owns the complex, would have offices in the new building. Unifor was set up in 2017 by the Sarawak government to provide financial assistance to non-Muslim houses of worship and mission schools in the state. The Unifor Charitable Trust is a separate entity which carries out activities for the well-being of non-Muslim communities in the state. Both Danald and Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh pointed to the Unifor Complex's emblem, incorporating the various non-Muslim religious symbols, as a reflection of Sarawak's unity and harmony. 'This is a concrete sign that we are not just willing to come alongside each other, but to walk and work together with a great deal of respect for one another,' Danald said. For Poh, the complex would not only strengthen racial unity and religious harmony but help to serve other charitable organisations along Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, like the Sarawak Cheshire Home, Sarawak Society for the Blind, Perkata Special School, a community-based rehabilitation centre and senior citizens' service centre. 'I envisage the Unifor Complex will provide a venue and opportunity for religious leaders to meet. 'This is also a good opportunity to invite spiritual leaders to contribute directly to the charitable organisations nearby. 'My sincere desire is that the new Unifor Complex will inspire volunteers from respective faiths to serve those who are differently-abled,' he said. Poh also said Unifor's funding for non-Muslim houses of worship and mission schools contributed to character formation and nation-building. 'What is built is not just buildings but the formation of conscience, morality and values that will eventually bring about greater harmony,' he said. Sarawak Sikh Temple Association president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira welcomed the complex as a landmark symbolising the unity of the different races and religions in Sarawak. 'The building is something we all look forward to. Unifor has been helping all the non-Muslim religions in the state and we are very thankful for that. 'We are hopeful that all the non-Muslim faiths will have a place where they can go to and be associated with the building,' he said. Dr Kalwinder also said the complex was a concrete reminder to Sarawakians to work hard to maintain unity. 'We have always been a multiracial and multireligious society, so you'll find people of different religions living together in Sarawak. 'But to all Sarawakians and Malaysians, we have to work at it. 'Going into the future, we also have to educate the younger generation on the importance of unity,' he said.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Let's embrace and celebrate our diversity, S'wak churches say in extending Wesak Day greetings
KUCHING: Malaysians must learn to know and understand one another to celebrate their diversity with respect, honour and acceptance, says the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS). Its chairman Datuk Danald Jute said Malaysians could not afford to speak or think ill of their neighbours who seem to be different. "As a multireligious, multiethnic and multicultural nation, we have no other option but to learn to appreciate, understand and accept each other," he said in his Wesak Day message on Monday (May 12). Danald extended greetings on behalf of ACS to Buddhists celebrating Wesak Day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. He noted that the Buddhist community is known for a commitment to living good lives based on the teachings of the Buddha, which emphasise the importance of peace, harmony, compassion, kindness, good works and wisdom. "We wish all our Buddhist friends a joyful and meaningful Wesak celebration and join them in working and praying for a more united, peaceful, harmonious and prosperous Malaysia," he said.
