MIRI: The Interfaith Christmas Open House jointly organised by the BEM Long Lama Church and the Blessed Sacrament Church marked a significant milestone in fostering mutual understanding and harmony among communities of different religious backgrounds in Telang Usan.

The programme was officiated by Telang Usan Assemblyman, Dato Dennis Ngau at Dewan Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Kee Tee, Long Lama on Friday.

The event drew an encouraging turnout of about 500 visitors from as early as 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, reflecting strong community support for interfaith engagement.

In his opening address, Dato Dennis commended the collaborative efforts of both Christian churches in Long Lama for successfully organising the Christmas Open House, describing it as a meaningful platform that brought together residents from diverse backgrounds in a spirit of unity and goodwill.

He noted that this was the first time such a joint inter-church open house had been organised in Telang Usan, making it a landmark occasion for the area.

According to him, the cooperation between the BEM and Catholic churches demonstrated how religious institutions can play a constructive role in strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Dato Dennis emphasised that Christmas should not be viewed merely as a festive celebration, but as an opportunity to unite people regardless of faith or cultural differences, while nurturing values of love, peace and togetherness within the wider community.

He also expressed hope that similar programmes could be expanded in scope and scale in the future, as such initiatives help cultivate a strong sense of family, mutual respect and harmony among the people.

Concluding his remarks, Dato Dennis extended his Christmas greetings and New Year wishes to all residents of Telang Usan, expressing hope that the coming year would bring abundant blessings and continued unity to the community.

The event was also attended by representatives from local churches, community leaders and heads of villages around Long Lama, further highlighting the inclusive nature of the programme. -UKASnews