KUALA LUMPUR: The Bon Odori festival, which has been held in Malaysia for about 30 years, has no element of religious rituals.
Alumni Look East Policy Society (ALEPS), which is one of event organisers of the festival in the country, said the version held in Malaysia is different from the ones held in Japan.
ALEPS president Zulfiqar Zainuddin said the festival held locally was introduced as a way to promote cultural exchanges between both nations.
"In Malaysia, it is celebrated as an introduction to Japanese culture.
"The festival in Japan is celebrated differently across different regions and during different times of the year.
"This festival in Malaysia is held to promote cultural exchanges between Malaysia and Japan by enabling people to experience a variety of Japanese cuisine, art, games, costumes, and traditional dance, nothing more than that," he told the New Straits Times today.
ALEPS comprises Malaysian graduates from universities and technology colleges in Japan.
Zulfiqar said that explanations and clarifications regarding the festival have been provided for a long time now and such things have been done since the first Bon Odori festival was held in Malaysia about 30 years ago.
"Organisers have explained the purpose, background and content of the event to the relevant authorities."
Zulfiqar said ALEP acknowledged the recent statements made about the festival, but it needed to explain what Bon Odori in Malaysia was all about.
"We respect and accept well the views of all parties about the festival's organisation. But all I can say is that the festival just aims to promote cultural exchange between Malaysia and Japan as long as it does not disrupt harmony, religions and beliefs in Malaysia," he said.
On Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad advised Muslims against participating in the upcoming Bon Odori Festival at the Shah Alam Sports Complex on July 16 as it contains elements of other religions.
He had said that a study conducted by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) found that the festival has religious elements.
On Tuesday, Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor pointed out that there is fear that certain activities held during Bon Odori could lead to syirik (polytheism idolatry).