In a statement, G25 said Malaysia’s greatest asset was its racial and religious diversity.

“And with the openness of our country to foreign trade, education and international travel, we benefit from cross-cultural contacts with the world,” the group said.

They encouraged the celebration of the nation’s unique cultural diversity and voiced their appreciation of the family-oriented Bon Odori festival.

“By bringing families together in a reunion, it is in line with our national aspiration of ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ which is promoted by the prime minister.”

G25 also commended the liberal stance that Selangor was taking in regard to the Japanese cultural festival, in comparison to the Islamic development department (Jakim).

The group pointed out that the country had close economic and social ties with Japan, adding that thousands of Malaysians had studied there, intermarried with Japanese citizens, and had joined business ventures with Japanese multinational corporations.

“They have learned to appreciate these cultural performances, and enjoy watching and even participating in them.”

They added that throughout Southeast Asian culture, there were festivals and traditional dances celebrated as legacies to ancestral pasts, with Muslims who live in those communities joining in the festivities as part of normal life.

“Let us Muslims in Malaysia have the freedom to enjoy the great diversity of the cultures and festivals of the various races in our lovely country.”

Earlier today, Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah called on religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad to attend the Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam to “understand the difference between religion and culture”.

Sultan Sharafuddin’s call came after the minister had advised Muslims not to take part in the annual festival, claiming that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”.