I guess you all know that during Chinese New Year Eve, most workers only have to work half day. Irregardless of which race you are, you get to enjoy the half day of work. And usually, nobody even bother to work in the morning too! It's holiday mood all the way...
When Hari Raya Puasa comes, most of our Muslim friends only have to work half day. Furthermore, during the whole Ramadan month, our Muslim brothers and sisters get to leave work slightly earlier so that they can break fast. As usual, our government is very considerate and sensitve towards our Muslim friends. When it comes to sensitivity, our government is top, no other country can match them man! To me, that's some ways to build up racial harmony in our country.
Just yesterday, I heard from a teacher friend, who told me that his Indian and Chinese colleagues have to change their timetable so that their Muslim colleagues can leave work earlier on Hari Raya Puasa Eve.
You see, his Indians and Chinese colleagues were supposed to end their day at 3pm and 33opm respectively. But because the school wanted the Muslim colleagues' classes to be pushed up to a earlier time slot in the timetable so that they can leave work half a day earlier (i.e leave work at 330pm. Their usual working hours is 12.30pm-630pm), my friend's poor Indian and Chinese colleagues can only leave work 1 and a half hours later. (His Indian and Chinese colleagues usual working hours is 10am-330pm, so now they can only leave work at 430pm and 5pm!! No OT pay, no compensation, no time off whatsoever!!!)
Upon telling me his story, my friend was telling me how he envy his Muslim colleagues, who are enjoying the benefits of both the Chinese New Year Day and their own Hari Raya Puasa!
Hmmm....How I wish I can be a Muslim for just a day when Chinese New Year Eve and Hari Raya Puasa Eve come around... Well,
Selamat Hari Raya my Muslim brudder and sister!
Marcus XA
YNWA @
2:09 AM
