Unity is strength. Diversity is unique. Both are needed to maintain the beauty of a nation, race or community. This is the universal truth.

Unfortunately, it's sad to note that we are losing our unity, which is supposed to be our strength, because our minds are so engrossed in our diversity. Instead of looking at our diversity as our exclusivity, we choose to regard it as a source of rivalry and divisiveness.

For these reasons, we can never be united under one roof called Malaysia or proudly call ourselves Bangsa Malaysia.

To aggravate the situation, we have our political, educational and economic policies which stress our differences more than our uniformity. The racist remarks and political bias of our vote- hungry politicians further add fuel to the already suspicious minds.

Our national schools – which are supposed to bridge our differences – further set us apart by introducing the differences between the religions to our children’s na V ve minds. Then we have government policies which are very discriminatory for some and very favourable for others.

Instead of relying on external influences to form our views and opinions, it would be wise if every individual started looking within and questioning her or his conscience. At the end of the day, aren't we all one, regardless of our mother tongue, class, race or religion?

Aren't we having the same core needs as humans? Love, compassion and divinity are at the nucleus of our beings. Then why are we forgetting our deeper selves only because someone else is outwardly different?

Let's not dwell for too long on our differences and ignore our core values which are all the same. It’s time to forge our relationships with one another based on our true selves and not based on what we speak, do or practice.

We need to go beyond our conditioned minds to see the oneness in everything.