Pesta Pongal dan Tahun Baru Cina, Perayaan Adat atau Perayaan Keagamaan? Satu Toleransi Agama di Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to examine the celebrations of non-Muslims, namely the Pongal Festival for Hindus and the Chinese New Year for the Chinese community, on whether the Pongal Festival and Chinese New Year are customary or religious festivals and to propose interfaith dialogue as the solution to ensure religious tolerance among the people. This phenomenon highlights the importance of interfaith dialogue to achieve inter-religious tolerance especially for Malaysia consists various races and religions. This literature review study using qualitative method concluded that the Pongal Festival celebrated by Hindus is religious in nature due to the element of worship to the Gods. Meanwhile, Chinese New Year consists of celebrations which can be classified as customary or cultural celebrations. According to the syara’, any act of tasyabbuh in akidah and belief is strictly prohibited. Though the aspect of tasyabbuh needs to be looked further in detail especially in the context of Malaysia as pluralistic-society country. Therefore, inter-religious dialogue, a consensus within the framework of a plural society can be created in a harmonious environment by taking into account the spirit of the Malaysian constitution which celebrates freedom of religion and by considering Islam as the religion of the federation.