Reflection and forgiving others while seeking forgiveness for one’s own wrongdoings will help to further strengthen relationships among colleagues at the workplace.
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, SURRAYYA SHUIB, WELCOMES STAFF TO THE LUNCH.
This was the underlying message by Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye at WOU’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri lunch organised by the Muslim staff, led by Registry and the Educational Technology & Publishing Unit, at the main campus today.
PROF HO EXTENDS HIS FESTIVE GREETINGS.
In his informal address, he conveyed his festive greetings, declaring, “It is a time of circumspect, to look inwards, to see how one can improve oneself and then continue in life to perform better with good deeds, and so on.”
He stated that the Hari Raya celebration is also about “atonement”. “Three meaningful words, Maaf, zahir dan batin, are said in prayers and in greetings basically to seek forgiveness and to forgive others for any wrongdoings we have done to others or others have done to us.”
PROF HO CALLS FORREFLECTION, SEEKING OF FORGIVENESS AND STRENGTHENING OF BONDSIN THE WORKPLACE.
He added that this noble Hari Raya practice is also observed by other religions and cultures as well in Malaysia to a certain extent. “This is one trait we as colleagues should cultivate and perpetuate even at our work place,” Prof Ho stressed.
“The best part about celebrating Hari Raya is the renewing of family ties and bonds. This can be extended even to us in WOU. As colleagues, we are all members of the WOU family. At times due to work pressure we are challenged, emotionally, and we lose ourselves, regrettably, due to flashes of anger or emotional outbursts. Events like this give us a chance to make things right and to start over, thereby further strengthening good work relationships between us,” he remarked.
STAFF WERE ENTERTAINED BY THE MELODIOUS VOICE OF AHMAD SHARIDWAN (SEATED, LEFT) IN A PRERECORDED VIDEO OF HIS DUET PERFORMANCE.
The event then continued with showcasing the hidden talents of staff and full-time students, as revealed by two pre-recorded videos. Library Assistant Ahmad Sharidwan Ahmad Nasruddin and ETP Executive Norliza Mhd Rodzi regaled the crowd with their duet, Seloka Hari Raya, made famous by the popular 1970s duo of Hail Amir and Uji Rashid. Next, Suasana Hari Raya by the late Sharifah Aini, was sung by an eight-member choir comprising staff and students.
STAFF ARE GREETED WITH A BEAUTIFULLY-WRAPPED CHOCOLATE GIFT.
Staff of different ethnicity came dressed in baju kurung, baju kebaya and baju Melayu. Green and yellow-coloured plastic ketupat decorations overhanging the door entrances and adorning the walls offered a welcoming, attractive sight. Every table had servings of assorted Hari Raya cookies.
Everyone feasted on tomato rice and dhall gravy with dishes like curry chicken, cucumber-pineapple salad, and egg sambal, complemented by ketupat, pulut hitam, chocolate cake, water melon and oranges.
HAPPY FEASTING AND MINGLING BY STAFF.
All in all, it was an enjoyable event.
