GEORGE TOWN, May 5 — Reading books on variety and unity could also be good to create the preliminary consciousness amongst youngsters, however a multifaceted studying strategy can be higher to hold tempo with the youthful era right this moment.
Recently, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil mentioned youngsters want to be uncovered to the tradition of studying, particularly books about the range of races and religions on this nation, to domesticate a educated era and foster a spirit of unity.
Paul Au, common supervisor of the Penang Harmony Corporation (Harmonico), a state company arrange to bridge interfaith understanding, mentioned that relying solely on books falls brief in successfully educating youngsters about unity and variety.
“An participating hands-on programme is essential for maximising the affect. While books present preliminary consciousness, experiential studying permits youngsters to really recognize the wonder of Malaysia’s variety,” he mentioned in an interview with eNews Malaysia.
He added that social media, if used appropriately, will also be a robust instrument to cater to the shorter consideration spans of the youthful era.
A view of Azmi Hussin engaged on ‘Saga Kami’. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
His views are echoed by cartoonist and writer, Azmi Hussin, who wrote and illustrated The Little Mamak that showcased the Indian Muslim custom based mostly on his childhood.
“We have to comply with the occasions, younger people are more into social media so perhaps use that medium to attain out to them,” he mentioned.
He mentioned studying tradition is now missing so one thing should even be carried out to domesticate studying amongst youngsters and to present them that studying is cool.
“If we wish to train them about variety and unity, we want different methods except for books. If you keep in mind, the previous films by Tan Sri P. Ramlee have messages about variety and household values, so perhaps we must always encourage people to watch more of his films,” he mentioned.
Azmi Hussin illustrated a record-breaking 150-metre lengthy caricature three years in the past titled ‘Saga Kami’ that tells the story of different cultures, customs and practices of three different Malaysian households that advanced round a Proton Saga automotive. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
Azmi additionally illustrated a record-breaking 150-metre lengthy caricature three years in the past titled Saga Kami that tells the story of different cultures, customs and practices of three different Malaysian households that advanced round a Proton Saga automotive.
“It can be the right ebook to promote variety and unity however I’m nonetheless in discussions with sponsors to get it printed as a ebook,” he mentioned.
Clarity Publishing founder Rosalind Chua mentioned all of the books by Malaysian cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Mohammad Khalid, popularly generally known as Lat, additionally showcased Malaysian unity at its greatest. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Where and what to begin studying
Founder of Clarity Publishing, Rosalind Chua, mentioned the fostering of studying habits has to begin from younger and in school.
“School textbooks and studying supplies want to be more attention-grabbing for the youthful era and not simply one thing they want to move examinations,” she mentioned.
As for instructing youngsters about variety and unity, she mentioned it was not so simple as shopping for diversity-related books for kids, in any other case the problem would have been solved by now.
“I’m unsure if books have any affect on Malaysian college students’ nowadays, most likely desire to have a look at their handphones,” she added.
She mentioned politicians may even want to be constant in eradicating racism as an alternative of encouraging it whereas the mass media has to cease giving racists a platform to air their views.
However, the books she would suggest that youngsters learn to learn more about variety included Mengapa Kita Tak Boleh Berlebihan (Why Can’t We Take More?) by Dendangan Hep, Lye Tuck Po and PeyCanKay, Fatimah’s Kampung by Iain Buchanan, The Little Mamak by Azmi and The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf.
Hanna Alkaf, writer of ‘The Weight of Our Sky’, poses for footage in Kuala Lumpur February 15, 2019. — Picture by Choo Choy May
She mentioned all of the books by Malaysian cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Mohammad Khalid, popularly generally known as Lat, additionally showcased Malaysian unity at its greatest.
Harmonica’s Au mentioned the way in which ahead is to organise more immersive programmes for the younger to interact them and expose them to variety by means of first-hand experiences.
“We referred to an exercise ebook titled Our Malaysia: Multi-Cultural Activity Book for Young Malaysians for some of the actions we organised in our outreach programmes to foster an appreciation for our numerous tradition, so books are nonetheless useful however they can’t be the only real supply of studying,” he mentioned.
Among the programmes Harmonico had organised included the Batu Ferringhi Community Library Outreach Programme, a Bangsa Malaysia programmes that was held in collaboration with Pusat KOMAS, and the Jelajah Harmoni Seberang Jaya that lets college college students learn about the different cultures by means of visits to different homes of worship.
“Instead of emphasising on studying, hands-on actions, experiential excursions, and even social media can play a big position,” he mentioned.
