Johari Yap -From Chung Hwa High School To Islam

Johari Yap was born in Kelantan, embraced by Islam in 1996 witnessed by Malaysian Army Brig.General Dr.Mohd Shukor. He had studied in Royal Military College of Kuala Lumpur (secondary level), Chung Hwa High School, Kota Bharu and one of his grandparent was Seventh Day Adventist Christian.

He served as Macma Secretary General in 2003 and Macma Kelantan State Branch in 2005 before accompanying his wife Dr.Noshila of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Medical/Kelantan Branch undertaking a Master Degree in UK and Ph.D in New Zealand in 2007. He was blessed with 2 kids- Mikael and Misha, a mixed dragon blood and malay javanese nusantara spirit.

Photo : Johari Yap (tengah) sekeluarga bersama keluarga kandungnya. Ibu bapanya (dua dan tiga dari kanan) reda dengan pengislaman anak sulung mereka.( With his chinese parent and 3 sisters)

DUGAAN dan cabaran adalah lumrah dalam kehidupan setiap insan di muka bumi ini, apatah lagi bagi mereka yang bergelar saudara baru atau mualaf. Hakikat ini turut diperakui Pegawai Perhubungan di Yayasan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, Pengkalan Chepa, Johari Abdullah @ Yap Guan Kheng atau lebih dikenali dengan panggilan Johari Yap.

Menurut anak kelahiran Wakaf Bharu ini lagi, beliau tidak menghadapi masalah sebelum pengislaman memandangkan tinggal berjauhan daripada ibu bapa. Namun selepas memeluk Islam bermulalah episod peritnya, kira-kira 10 tahun lalu.

“Saya terpaksa berhenti kerja di Kuala Lumpur dan tinggal dengan bapa saudara di Batu Pahat, Johor selama lebih kurang setahun. Setelah keadaan agak reda, saya kembali semula ke Kuala Lumpur. Pada masa itu, walaupun tidak timbul ketegangan namun hubungan dengan keluarga kandung sudah tidak semesra dahulu.

“Sungguhpun keluarga tidak lagi memberi tekanan kepada saya, bahananya beralih kepada kedua-dua ibu bapa saya. Mereka dituduh tidak pandai mendidik satu-satunya anak lelaki sehingga sanggup bertukar agama. Ini kerana, saya adalah anak lelaki sulung daripada empat adik-beradik.

“Sementara itu, orang Melayu Islam pula cuba ‘meMelayukan’ saya. Apabila saya cuba mengekalkan identiti Cina, akan dituduh tidak Islamik. Jika terlebih keMelayuan pula, keluarga dan rakan-rakan Cina yang lain menuduh kita sudah masuk Melayu, bukan masuk Islam.

Dilema inilah yang menyebabkan saya seringkali serba salah,” katanya bersyukur berjaya mengharunginya dengan adanya Persatuan Cina Muslim Malaysia (Macma). Pun begitu, tegas Johari Yap, 31, sebagai seorang saudara baru, dugaan dan cabaran yang timbul merupakan asam garam dalam menempuh hari-hari yang mendatang.

Beliau cuba berkongsi situasi genting yang dihadapinya acap kali tibanya sambutan Tahun Baru Cina di mana acara ‘makan besar’ bersama keluarga menjadi kemestian. Tambahan pula, kebiasaannya salah satu menu penting pada malam tersebut adalah daging khinzir.

“Tetapi jika tidak hadir, kesannya lebih besar seolah-olah saya cuba membelakangkan keluarga. Akhirnya saya tawakal dan menghadirinya. Pada malam itu, saya hanya menyentuh juadah berasaskan sayur-sayuran atau ulaman sahaja.

Alhamdulillah, apabila pakcik menyuruh saya menyembelih ayam kampung untuk dimasak, saya dapat mengagak bahawa keadaan akan berubah. “Sangkaan saya benar apabila pada majlis makan besar itu, tiada daging khinzir yang disajikan. Sama ada mereka menyorok ataupun langsung tidak ada, itu tidak penting. Yang pasti, mereka menghormati saya sebagai orang Islam.

“Selain itu, ada pula orang Islam yang memberikan nasihat seperti: “Kalau balik rumah, jangan minum air yang disediakan ibu kamu kerana bimbang gelas yang digunakan itu pernah diisikan dengan air arak”. Cuba bayangkan perasaan ibu apabila anak sudah tidak mahu minum air yang disediakannya hanya kerana berbeza agama. Kalau begitu, lebih baik tidak balik ke rumah, kalau akan menyakitkan hatinya.

“Sebenarnya, mereka yang memberikan nasihat-nasihat seperti ini, ramai berada di luar sana. Mungkin mereka yang memberikan nasihat ini tidak mempunyai saudara mara yang bukan Islam atau tidak mempunyai rakan-rakan yang bukan Islam. Mereka ini lebih mementingkan fikah berbanding uslub dakwah,” kata Johari Yap dalam balasan e-melnya kepada penulis.

Berkongsi pula kisah ‘penghijrahan’ akidahnya, cerita anak kepada pasangan Yap Beng Chui dan Goh Sa Huay, selama enam tahun bersekolah di SRK Wakaf Bharu, beliau tinggal dengan nenek yang beragama Kristian Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) yang mana daging khinzir adalah haram.

Sejak kecil, Johari Yap sudah tidak menjamah daging khinzir lagi. Manakala, ibu yang beragama Buddha dan bapa yang berfahaman Kristian, memberi pilihan kepadanya untuk memilih antara dua agama tersebut. “Apabila melanjutkan pelajaran ke tingkatan satu di Maktab Tentera Diraja (RMC) Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur pada 1988, saya mula belajar berpuasa walaupun untuk separuh hari demi menyahut cabaran seorang rakan. Saya berjaya berpuasa penuh sewaktu di tingkatan tiga walaupun banyak rintangan yang ditempuhi seperti latihan kawad dan ketenteraan.

“Tidak kurang juga cemuhan daripada rakan-rakan Muslim yang mengatakan saya membuang masa kerana tidak dapat pahala kecuali lapar dan dahaga. Walau bagaimanapun, saya hanya berpuasa di RMC, apabila pulang bercuti, saya tidak berkesempatan berpuasa,” katanya.

Penghayatan Islam semakin serius dengan galakan seorang rakan yang juga seorang Cina Muslim generasi ketiga, Zubir Lee Yew Weng. “Saya berjaya berpuasa penuh sebulan Ramadan pada 1992 semasa di tingkatan lima di RMC. Saya mengikuti Zubir Lee ke kampungnya di Kuching, Sarawak selama seminggu sempena Hari Raya Puasa. Di situlah, buat pertama kali saya diajar makan ikan menggunakan chopstick dan melihat cara hidup Cina Muslim di sana.

“Sebagai seorang Cina yang berasal dari kampung di Kelantan, makan dengan menggunakan tangan adalah satu kebiasaan dan bukan pelik untuk melihat orang Cina Kelantan tidak pandai menggunakan chopstick,” terang Johari Yap yang mendapat bimbingan secara tidak langsung daripada salah seorang guru di RMC, Hafizul Ong Abdullah.

Selepas Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), beliau melanjutkan pelajaran peringkat Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) di Sekolah Menengah Chung Hwa, Kota Bharu. Sebaik tamat peperiksaan STPM, beliau ke Kuala Lumpur untuk membantu rakan, Zubir Lee yang membuka cawangan perniagaan bapanya di Kuala Lumpur pada 1995. Sewaktu di Kuala Lumpur, beliau mengambil kesempatan berkhatan biarpun masih belum berani bergelar Muslim.

Setahun kemudian, barulah beliau menyuarakan hasrat memeluk Islam. Tarikh 2 Mac 1996 adalah detik keramat dalam diari kehidupan Johari Yap kerana hari itulah beliau melafazkan syahadah di pejabat Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi). Beliau ditemankan Zubir Lee dan Brig. Jen. (B) Datuk Mohd Shukor, yang juga merupakan bekas pelajar RMC.

Akui Johari Yap lagi, boleh dikatakan minatnya terhadap Islam timbul apabila dapat merasai nikmat berpuasa lebih-lebih lagi dirinya adalah jenis orang yang tidak boleh menahan lapar.

Selepas bergelar Muslim, akuinya, perasaan gementar masih wujud kerana tidak pasti kemampuannya menjadi seorang Muslim yang baik. Persoalan yang sentiasa bermain di benaknya ketika itu ialah, “Bolehkah aku menunaikan sembahyang lima kali sehari sedangkan sejak 21 tahun lepas aku tidak pernah bersembahyang?"

Alhamdulillah dengan bimbingan ustaz-ustaz di Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim) Wilayah Persekutuan ketika itu serta Ustaz Zainuddin dari Masjid Shah Alam, perasaan gementar itu hilang dan digantikan dengan perasaan tenang. Malah beliau juga bersyukur kerana menerima pendidikan Jawi sepanjang bersekolah rendah dan ini banyak membantu dalam pengajian al-Qurannya.

“Tiga minggu selepas pengislaman, saya telah bertemu Dr. Norsila Abdul Wahab di Hospital Seremban. Perkenalan itu berakhir ke jinjang pelamin. Kini kami dikurniakan sepasang anak yang masing-masing berumur 6 dan 3 tahun, Mikhael dan Misha. Isteri dan anak-anak adalah hadiah terbaik anugerah daripada Yang Maha Kuasa.

“Sebelum memeluk Islam, saya amat rapat dengan ibu. Keadaan menjadi agak renggang setelah saya memeluk Islam tetapi pulih setelah saya mendapat anak. Semuanya bermula sewaktu mengikuti isteri yang melanjutkan pelajaran di London.

“Kami kembali ke Kelantan pada 2002, Mikhael diajar untuk memanggil ‘Akong’ kepada datuknya dan ‘Ama’ pada neneknya. Cucu lelaki sulung inilah merupakan pengikat kepada hubungan anak dan ibu bapanya,” katanya.

Kini Mikhael bersekolah tadika di Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Peir Chih, Kota Bharu.Sekarang, keadaan menjadi lebih baik kerana Islam menyuruh umatnya menghormati ibu walaupun berlainan agama. Beliau cuba memberikan kasih sayang kepada ibu bapa melebihi daripada sebelum memeluk Islam.

Beliau ingin menonjolkan nilai-nilai murni dalam Islam melalui contoh yang baik ataupun dakwah Bil-Hal. Malah isteri yang juga pensyarah Pergigian di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kampus Kesihatan, Kubang Kerian banyak membantu memahami sekali gus membina hubungan rapat dengan mentua.

Di samping itu, ibunya amat berhati-hati mengenai makanan sehinggakan akan mencari logo halal jika ingin membelikan makanan untuk cucu-cucunya apabila berkunjung ke rumah Johari Yap. Jarak rumahnya di Kampung Beris Kubur Besar, Bachok dengan rumah keluarga di Kampung Chabang Empat Tok Mek Ngah, Tumpat ialah kira-kira satu jam perjalanan.

Nasihatnya kepada saudara baru, hormatilah ibu bapa kandung. Sayangilah mereka sebagaimana mereka membesarkan kita.“Ibu bapa mana yang tidak sedih dengan pengislaman anak mereka. Terdapat kes di kampung saya di mana mereka yang memeluk Islam memutuskan hubungan sehingga berpuluh tahun lamanya dan ada juga yang terus menghilangkan diri.

Ada pula yang berasa jijik untuk pulang atau makan minum di rumah sedangkan di situlah dia membesar. “Ada pula menjadi terlebih ‘alim’ sehingga tidak mahu berbahasa Cina kerana itu adalah bahasa tidak Islamik berbanding dengan bahasa Arab ataupun Melayu.

Ini adalah contoh yang tidak sihat dan tidak membantu dalam usaha dakwah Islamiah kepada bangsa Cina. Jika bukan disebabkan oleh sebab-sebab itu, mungkin keluarga saya tidak menentang atau mereka sekadar sedih sahaja,” katanya yang turut aktif sebagai Ahli Majlis Kebangsaan Perkim, Perkim Kebangsaan, Setiausaha Kehormat Macma, Cawangan Kelantan dan ahli jawatankuasa (AJK) Unit Hal Ehwal Saudara Baru, Islamic Outreach ABIM Kelantan.

Kini, Johari Yap bercita-cita mempelajari bahasa Mandarin dan memberi kefahaman Islam kepada seramai mungkin orang Cina yang bukan Islam. Mereka tidak menentang Islam atau memusuhi Islam, cuma mereka kurang faham mengenai Islam. Bahasa Hokkien yang digunakan ini hanya digunakan di Kelantan sahaja.

“Saya menjadi ahli Perkim dan Macma sejurus memeluk Islam. Di dalam persatuan ini saya dapat ramai kenalan Cina Muslim untuk bertukar-tukar pendapat serta berkongsi masalah.

Saya banyak memberi kaunseling kepada mereka yang ingin memeluk Islam serta baru memeluk Islam. Hubungan sesama ahli Macma di Kelantan amat rapat dan pada 31 Ogos lalu, kami mengadakan program Hari Keluarga Macma di Pulau Perhentian yang melibatkan 85 ahli dan keluarga.

“Peristiwa paling manis ialah diberi tanggungjawab mengIslamkan seorang gadis Cina oleh Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Kelantan pada Ramadan tahun ini.(2003)

Elsie Jian -Bidayuh Chinese Muslim

(Nur Athirah Elsie Jian sacrificed her job in the hotel industry just to learn more about islam after syahada at the age of 32. Coming from Sarawak, east Malaysia from a mixed chinese-native -Bidayuh may be-she also left christianity and firmly faced her family reaction. Alhamdulillah, she was helped by good teachers and friends, then met her future husband to complete her beautiful deen and life journey !)

NUR Athirah termenung panjang. Fikirannya menerawang mengingat kepada lima remaja Islam yang baru dilintasi tadi.

Entahlah, hatinya jadi tidak keharuan. Pelbagai perasaan silih berganti dalam sanubarinya. Ada rasa geram, marah dan sedih. Kadang-kadang dipujuk hatinya supaya banyakkan beristighfar dan mohon perlindungan Allah Yang Maha Pengasih Lagi Maha Penyayang. Namun, ada ketikanya, perasaan itu datang kembali.

Begitulah rintihan hati Nur Athirah Elsie Jian, 37, lebih-lebih lagi semenjak mengucap dua kalimah syahadah kira-kira lima tahun lalu. Bukan kehendak hatinya untuk menyinggung perasaan mana-mana pihak terutamanya mereka yang dilahirkan Muslim. Tetapi itulah hakikatnya.

Nur Athirah selalu bermonolog di dalam dirinya. Mengapa ini berlaku? Tidakkah mereka sedar perbuatan mereka memberi imej buruk kepada agama Islam? Tak takutkah mereka kepada Allah dan hari pembalasan? dan apa yang mampu aku lakukan, Ya Allah? Semuanya rentetan daripada sikap alpa serta mengambil kesempatan terhadap rahmat dan nikmat yang Allah kurniakan selama ini.

Sedangkan telah banyak dilihat daripada lipatan sejarah umat terdahulu tentang bala yang Allah turunkan akibat kemungkaran yang dilakukan. Lantaran itu, anak kelahiran Serian, Sarawak ini meletakkan syarat untuk tidak memeluk agama Islam selagi belum mengenali dan memahami agama tersebut.

Meskipun akui Nur Athirah, agama Islam bukanlah asing bagi dirinya kerana sebagai anak seorang anggota tentera, pergaulan dengan masyarakat Melayu Islam sedikit sebanyak mendedahkannya kepada agama anutan majoriti umat Islam di negara ini. Apatah lagi, beliau tidak mahu dituduh bergelar Muslim kerana hendak berkahwin atau pelbagai tohmahan yang lumrah dilemparkan kepada golongan mualaf.

Sebenarnya, Nur Athirah tertarik dengan agama Islam sejak dahulu tetapi pada masa yang sama beliau aktif dengan kerja-kerja di gereja sebagai pengikut setia agama Kristian. Sayangnya, mungkin tidak bertemu dengan orang yang dapat menerangkan tentang Islam secara tepat dan betul menyebabkan minatnya berkubur begitu sahaja. “Namun pada 2001 apabila mula berkenalan dengan suami, kami mula mengikuti kelas pengajian Islam di Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim).

“Alhamdulillah, tidak sampai setahun segalanya jelas kini. Bagi saya, Islam itu cukup lengkap dan amat cantik. Yang merosakkan imej agama Islam ini adalah segelintir umat Islam yang tidak memahami dan menghayati seterusnya mempraktikkannya,” katanya.

Sebab itulah beliau sanggup melepaskan pekerjaan tetap dalam bidang perhotelan demi menumpukan sepenuh masa menimba ilmu fardu ain dan fardu kifayah. “Sekurang-kurangnya, dengan ilmu yang sedikit yang ada di dada dapat dikongsikan bersama keluarga dan masyarakat Islam,” cerita Nur Athirah semasa ditemui di Pusat Islam, Kuala Lumpur baru-baru ini.

Nur Athirah yang mendirikan rumah tangga dengan bapa tunggal beranak dua, Mohd. Ramli Jelani, 43, pada 2002 bersyukur diketemukan jodoh dengan pasangan hidup yang begitu memahami, sentiasa menyokong dan memberi restu untuknya menuntut ilmu. Di samping itu, keluarga mentua, teman-teman dan tenaga pengajar di kelas juga banyak membantu.

Malah katanya lagi, mereka pernah bersama-sama belajar agama di Perkim. Cuma apabila mula mengikuti kelas agama di Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi) di Pusat Islam, Nur Athirah lebih serius memandangkan dia sudah berhenti kerja.

Dr.Yulduz Emiloglu : Malaysian Chinese Uighur Muslim

WHEN Taiwanese-born writer Yulduz Emiloglu was a child, her father Abdullah Emiloglu instilled in her the need to help others.

Abdullah, a former Taiwan legislator and professor in Central Asian history, told Yulduz, the eldest, and his other three daughters, to become medical doctors specialising in different areas so that they could collectively open a medical centre to provide treatment to the poor and needy.

As it turned out, none of them became doctors, but Yulduz has held dear to her father's dream and she now helps people in different ways – through seminars and her everyday life.

'My father once told me that in the eyes of Allah, the world only has good or bad people so we should be good to others. This is the most important thing.' — Yulduz Emiloglu

“My father always says that I am a very blessed person as my parents are still alive, I have a lovely husband and three filial and devoted children. Allah is very kind to me so I should contribute to the society,” she said.

Yulduz, who is married to Malaysian businessman Javet Tay Yee Wet, moved to a small village in Semerah, Batu Pahat, about 30 years ago.

Due to her status, she could not work then so she contributed articles to Chinese newspapers and read to the blind.

Her articles were well received and soon she was writing on social and family issues in major Chinese newspapers.

Today, she is acknowledged as a prominent writer, columnist and speaker in Malaysia.

“In the early years, I gave seminars on the relationship between father and daughter as many Chinese fathers still prefer sons to daughters. I hoped to change their mindset and improve their relationships,” she said.

Yulduz said she was able to use her father’s experience of raising an all-girl family.

“My father once told me that in the eyes of Allah, the world only has good or bad people so we should be good to others. This is the most important thing,” said Yulduz.

Later on, Yulduz, who has written several Chinese school textbooks, also conducted seminars on social, youth and family issues based on her 10 years’ experience running her five Yulduz Educational Care Centres in the Klang Valley. She set up the centres to help look after children whose mothers have to work during the day

“I like children and I like to spend time and read stories to them. I have looked after thousands of children during the past 10 years, so usually the seminars will be based on my experiences with the children.”

When youths go astray, she said, it is not solely because of the individual, but often because of family reasons and the environment.

As Yulduz is well recognised and highly respected in the Chinese community, she often gets calls from depressed people, who seek her help.

“Once there was a woman who called me up at home while I was preparing my dinner. I felt bad cutting her off as she was crying so I continued to cook while talking to her,” she said.

She was still talking to the woman when members of her family started to eat, she said.

“For me, the most important thing is to be able to help the people. Most of the time, they just need someone to listen,” she said, adding that she would then refer the cases to her friends, who are trained counsellors.

Her appointment to the Wanita MCA central committee came with the responsibility of helping single mothers and promoting family values.

“My 87-year-old father has a big influence in my life. My father told me that the happiest thing in the world is to be able to help the needy. So by joining the party, I believe that I am able to help more people.

“My father always told me that Allah has given everyone a mission. So after we take care of ourselves as well as our families, we should serve our community,” said Yulduz, who is currently teaching Malaysia Chinese Literature at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Yulduz, who has a doctorate in Malay literature from Universiti Malaya, was approached by several political parties before she decided to join MCA last August.

“At that time, I still did not know what I could do for the party and the people, and I was not ready to bear the responsibility due to my family commitments.

“But now my children have grown up so I can devote my time to society. Besides that Datuk Dr Ng (Yen Yen) is very sincere and she has a heart to help the people. I hope that within these three years, I can contribute in educating the women, youth and children,” she said.

However, her decision to join the MCA drew two extreme responses from her friends.

“Some friends said I should not join any political party. They think a scholar should not get involved in politics, as they will not be objective on certain issues.

“But another group of friends was very happy that I joined a political party. They think I am able to help more people through the network of the party,” she said.

“Politics is everybody’s business. We are involved in politics every day but the difference is whether you are a member of a political party or not.”

Yulduz has travelled extensively throughout the country in the past 30 years to conduct her seminars, including to many villages most Malaysians have never heard of.

“I found a lot of interesting people and places. At the beginning, some Taiwanese friends wondered how someone who comes from a rich family in Taipeh could stay in this country for over three years. Now I have been here for over 30 years and I still enjoy discovering every little thing in this beautiful country,” she said.

Yulduz has published a book titled The Beauty of Malaysia, which is a compilation of her articles in China Press. The book will be in major bookstores soon.

“I chose the picture of Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar for the cover of my book as I fell in love with the design of the mosque and its surroundings when I visited the town with my family 20 years ago,” she said.

Has the 55-year-old scholar ever decided to retire from writing as well as her social work?

“It has never crossed my mind. I will continue to do my work and serve the community if I still have the ability.

“Like what my father says, to be able to help others is the happiest thing in the world. Why should I give it up?” she said.

Maryam Goh Embrace Islam at Age 97 Years

Finding The Light of Islam at The Age of 97 Years in Kota Bharu

Madam Mariam Goe @ Goe Long Wa converted to Islam at the age of 97. She converted on the first day of Chinese New Year in 2005 in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The first question that crossed my mind was how Bro Mohd Amin Ang, who converted 3 years ago, convinced his mother to embrace Islam?

He didn’t have to explain much when we saw his wife, Sister Rohani taking care of her mother-in-law. She took good care of her mother-in-law with love, cleaned and fed her everyday even before Madam Mariam Goe embraced Islam. Sister Rohani showed a very good example of Islam to her mother-in-law. Bro Amin Ang loved and respected her mother even more after he converted to Islam.

The changing point of Madam Mariam Goe’s life was when she suffered from a non-stop bleeding problem and the doctor said that she had cancer and it was not advisable to do the operation due to her age. Bro Amin Ang invited some neighbours around the housing area at Taman Kemumin, Pengkaln Chepa, Kelantan to perform “hajat prayer”. With Allah’s willing, the bleeding stopped and this miracle changed Madam Mariam Goe.

May Allah bless her late precious syahadah and grant her the Garden.

@ Article kindly taken from Br.Johari Yap homepage (http://johariyap.com)

Meeting ustaz Hussein Yee at alKhadeem

Last week Sunday 12 May 2010, we manage to visit Ustaz Hussein Yee talk at al Khadeem Centre in Sg Ara Damansara. We still remember his humble beginning after returning from Madinah to work as Perkim mubaligh and stay at low cost flat at Jalan masjid India, Kuala Lumpur.

He gave an inspiring dakwah titbits in his journeyn to Japan recently. He said: 70% of their character are islamic ! Like their honesty, humility, serving, work discipline and cleanliness. But the translator said: 70% of japanese are Muslims !

Next week at Sime darby Convention centre, his cousin/chu lai Capt.James Yee ex-US muslim chaplain at Guantanamo camp will give his version of strauggle after sacked and accussed of supporting the islamic cause !

Here we share 3 photos captured from my poor and roving camera.

Siti Suriani Khoo : Two Cultures One Love

For nurse Siti Suriani Khoo , mixed marriage provided a sense of fun and excitement as she and her husband always attempt to learn the practice and habits of the "other side."

"We have become more open-minded and positive apart from accepting the culture of each other. Me and my husband as well as our children can speak Cantonese, Malay, English as well as the Bajau language," said Siti Suriani, formerly Khoo Siew Peng married her husband, an engineer of Bajau descent from Sabah.

Siti Suriani said she and her children would have no problems in communicating with her husband's family whenever they visited them in Kota Kinabalu. It is likewise for her husband when they visited Siti Suriani's family in Gopeng, Perak.

To Siti Suriani religion always comes first.

"Allah created man to be from various races and religion can unite us. We should not exercise prejudice towards those from the other ethnic groups," she added.

Macma Chinese New Year Gathering 21 Feb 2010

Macma Exco member Haji Shahrin Low generously hosted this CNY lunch at his restaurant on the top of Bukit Antarabangsa, Ulu Klang hill with about 80 Macma members and family as listed below:

Dato' Hj Mustapha Ma and nieces Shukreen Ma, Nasreen Ma , Fareea Ma etc.
Hj Ridhuan Tee and two kids
Hj Dr Fuad Yeoh
Dr.Halimah Ali Kiew, Selangor Exco ADUN Port Klang
HjMohd Chan
Adam Lim and Hj Mansor Yap from Malacca
Hj Halim Cheah from Kelantan
Hj Daniel Hakim Boey and Hj Ann Wang Seng just recent return from hajj
Marlina Wong
Shafie Patt
Hj Ghalib Tham and wife
Noraini Lee
Hj Sharin Low and wife Sofiah Chong
William Cheng and Taman Desa Resident Association committee members
Rep.from Muhsinin Mosque, Taman Desa
Issa Ma from China
Amin Lum
Maswani Chung and husband
...and others whom I missed their names..

Dr.Siti Atiqah Shin and C.Johann R.Richardson Wedding

Alhamdulillah wa syukrillah......the wedding of our daughter currently graduated from Manchester University in medical degree was successfully held in 22-23 January 2010 in Putrajaya. May Allah bless their new beginning as a family and endeavors. Many asked who is the handsome groom ? We can only affirmed that his great grandfather was from Scotland and had served as doctor the old Dalai Lama of Tibet many decades ago. His father Hugh ventured far to Malaysia and married his malay mum from royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Then the family branched off to more trees and flowers...
with half chinese, half kelantanese blood and quarter of quang dong genetic of great china. Hence the chinese tea ceremony....served to the uncles and aunties. Our fuqara friends contributed their lovely qasidas of Diwan Sh.Muhammad alHabib to the wedding kenduri...with Lakal Hamdu, Ahimu Wahdi and Salamun.