Malaysia is a country that celebrates its diversity. Whereas in most other countries there is a trend towards creating a homogeneous society for the purpose of national unity, in Malaysia the various races are encouraged to keep their ethnic names and their languages, to practise their respective religions and to embrace not only their own cultures, but fellow citizens'. All this has served to create a vibrant multi-cultural society. This is especially visible during any festival, as all Malaysians take any excuse to celebrate! Malaysia has some of the most public holidays in Asia, due to the myriad of holy or cultural festivals celebrated by the variety of cultures in the country.