Punjabi Couple Celebrate Wedding With Malaysian-style Reception

By V. Sankara

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) – Dr Kajel Kaur Gill and Jonathan Bhatti’s wedding and lunch reception on Valentine’s Day in Ipoh, Perak, was a truly unique affair.

Held at a halal venue, it featured a Chinese lion dance performance, a rare sight at a Sikh wedding. It also brought together guests of diverse races and religious backgrounds, reflecting the couple’s embrace of Malaysia’s multicultural spirit.

For 30-year-old Dr Kajel, who was Miss Earth Malaysia 2022, the Feb 14 celebration carried special meaning.

“It felt like home,” she said.

The couple chose to hold their wedding and reception at D’Intan by Chinta Zara Wedding to ensure guests from all backgrounds felt comfortable.

The marriage ceremony was conducted in a traditional Sikh manner, honouring the bride’s religious roots.

 “My closest friends and family members come from diverse racial backgrounds. I am who I am because of the people I grew up with,” she told Bernama.

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She added that she chose to have a non-alcoholic reception out of respect for her multicultural circle.

While both the bride and groom are Punjabi, they come from different religious backgrounds, with Dr Kajel being Sikh and Jonathan, 30, being Catholic.

Jonathan, an Ipoh-based automotive technician, said faith has always been the foundation of their relationship.

“We may practice different religions, but our respect for each other’s beliefs has always been enough for us,” he said.

Dr Kajel, who works in a clinic in Ipoh, echoed the sentiment, saying they mutually agreed not to convert and plan to hold a Christian ceremony in Kuala Lumpur so that, in the future, their children can understand both religions and grow up appreciating them.

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She added that their guests were thrilled by the lion dance performance and loved the food and atmosphere.

Many Malay friends helped manage the event and even uttered Punjabi phrases such as Sat Sri Akal (a respectful Punjabi greeting) and Ji Aaya Nu (“You are most welcome”) while handing out door gifts, reflecting the couple’s close-knit friendships.

For Dr Kajel and Jonathan, choosing to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day was simply another expression of love, bringing together faith, friendship and culture in a way that felt entirely their own.

-- BERNAMA