00:00 Every December, Siti Katija Salam looks forward to joining in the Christmas celebration with
00:07 her husband, Freddy Shirodari, and his Christian family.
00:12 Siti Katija, an administrative assistant and police officer, Freddy have been living with
00:17 his parents in Kota Semarahan since getting married eight years ago.
00:21 Besides Christmas, Freddy said the family also celebrated Gawai and Hari Raya.
00:26 The first two years for me and my wife is a bit hard because they just getting to know
00:33 my wife.
00:35 Before eat, they will ask, "Aye, ini halal, ini tidak halal?"
00:41 Like that.
00:43 Freddy said during Hari Raya, he and his wife will also go to his mother-in-law's house
00:47 to celebrate.
00:48 But Raya, he only got one baju-baju.
00:52 I'm the simple one.
00:53 Even Christmas, Gawai, I bought only one shirt.
00:56 He cannot stand the long sleeve.
01:01 He said the family enjoyed the open house visits, adding that his relatives would prepare
01:06 halal food for him and his wife, but they will all eat at the same table.
01:10 This is what I like regarding Christmas.
01:13 And same goes to Raya.
01:15 He says his wife is also happy to celebrate Christmas with him and his parents.
01:21 He said decorating the Christmas tree was her favorite part of the celebration.
01:26 She is the one who gets excited.
01:28 And then when it's in the middle of the month, like 15th of December, yeah, go buy something
01:35 for decoration.
01:36 It's okay.
01:37 His parents, Derry Lingam and Neng Prince Midyong, said they accepted Siti Katijong
01:42 as a member of the family.
01:44 I respect him as a son-in-law, but I respect him as a son-in-law.
01:52 I never said I don't like him as a Muslim.
01:56 I like him as he is.
01:57 But I'm joking.
01:58 I think as a son-in-law, I will joke as we are of the same age.
02:05 Magchester Harvey, Fredy's 17-year-old son from his first marriage, said there were no
02:10 issues of race or religion in the family.
02:13 [END]
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