KUCHING — The celebration of St. Ann’s Feast Day (SAFD) 2025 drew a large crowd of faithful and community leaders at St. Ann’s Church in Kota Padawan, showcasing Sarawak’s enduring spirit of religious harmony. The annual event, held on July 27, is one of the most important dates in the Catholic calendar in Sarawak and was attended by Batu Kitang assemblyman, YB Dato Lo Khere Chiang, MPP Councilor Gerald Goh and other community leaders.
This year’s celebration began with a novena and continued with Triduum Masses from July 23 to 25, leading up to the Feast Day Mass. The church grounds were filled with food stalls, charity sales, and various activities that created a festive and meaningful atmosphere for all ages. The religious programme also includes ongoing events such as Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on selected Saturdays, rosary prayers, praise and worship sessions, and Mass at the Home of Peace celebrated by friars.
One of the key highlights of the event was the presentation of proposed plans for the development of new churches and Catholic institutions in Sarawak. These plans were shared with Datuk Geogina Apphia Ngau, Director of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), showing the state’s commitment to supporting religious infrastructure for all communities. His Grace Dato’ Dr Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng, along with other religious leaders, were also present to witness the occasion.
YB Dato Lo Khere Chiang expressed his pride in Sarawak’s unique religious tolerance, saying that Sarawak continues to be a model for multi-racial and multi-faith unity. He said the state remains one of the few places in the world where people of different religions live in peace and mutual respect, supported by a caring and inclusive government.
As Malaysia moves forward, the peaceful coexistence seen in Sarawak serves as an example of how unity in diversity can strengthen nation-building. The celebration of St. Ann’s Feast Day is not only a religious occasion but also a reflection of the values that Sarawakians hold dear — respect, harmony, and togetherness.
