“We both grew up in Kota Bharu, Kelantan and we’ve maintained a great friendship since we were 13. We both study in an all-girls school, hang out in the surau during recess and more or less are the class clowns. We also speak fluent Kelantanese to each other, even though we have moved to KL to work.
The difference is, she is a Muslim while I’m Chinese. I have bright red hair and tattoos while she is a conservative girl who dons the hijab. Whenever we walk together in shopping malls or have dinner after work, we received curious stares from passers-by.
She’s never judgmental and accepts me for who I am, and I do the same for her. I’d like to think that’s how 1Malaysia should be. We’re not just tolerant of each other, but we embrace and celebrate our differences.”
