By Mahadhir Monihuldin
An extravagant display of the colour red glowed from all corners of the surrounding. It glowed from the eye-catching lanterns, the oriental decorations, the incense lit temples and alluring Chinese costumes that were in display. The loud clangs of metal gongs reverberated across the vicinity. A magnificent show of the Chinese lion dance had everyone crowding around in an open circle. The moment the clock struck 12 a.m., the sky was filled with the vibrant colours of fireworks.
Yes, Chinese New Year has come and gone, and a devout Chinese Muslim woman takes the time to reflect on her experience of celebrating the legacy of her community.
œI think out of the many holidays that Im able to celebrate, Chinese New Year is probably the best of them all. These are the words of a woman named Lydia Wong Sher Mae, a 21-year-old Malaysian Chinese who had converted into the religion of Islam at the ripe young age of 8 years old.
It is always a fascination whenever we hear the story behind a persons journey to Islam. To understand Lydias path into the religion, one would first need to look at the background story of her parents. Lydia is a child to a mother who was formerly a Christian and a father who used to be a believer in Buddhism. Currently, both of them are staunch Muslims with Lydias mother being the first to convert.
Lydias mother, Nurin Soo, is one who has always had a very deep admiration for Prophet Isa. Nurin has always appreciated the sacrifices Prophet Isa made for the well-being of humanity. As one of the most prominent Prophets in both Islam and Christianity, we as Muslims can most definitely understand her profound love for him.
However, despite having such a strong attachment to the Prophet, Nurin still couldnt seem to fathom the ideas presented in the holy scripture of her religion, the Bible. An idea that Nurin particularly had a problem with is the Trinity, a concept that makes up the foundation of Christian belief.
It follows that Prophet Isa is not only the Prophet of God, but also God himself, and the Holy Spirit at the same time. œFor me, the Trinity doesnt hold water, it doesnt make sense, and is just illogical, Nurin said.
The inconceivable nature of the Trinity, to Nurin, made her feel like theres no possible way for her to continue believing in Christianity, and in the end, she knew she had to let go of the religion which she was brought up with. Thus, Nurin began wandering into religions different from Christianity, and it was then that she discovered Islam.
At first, she was still sceptical about delving fully into this new religion that she has found, but that changed in a magnificent manner during the birth of her third baby boy. In Nurins own words, œIt was actually in the labour room where I first truly converted to Islam.
She was told that the baby boy in her belly was much larger than the normal sized new-born. That proved to be true when it was time for Nurin to deliver the child. The sheer pain that went into the process of delivery cannot be described in words. The struggle that Nurin had to endure was extremely excruciating. She recalled that every time she tried pushing as hard she can, the baby still wouldnt move a centimetre. It was as if the suffering would never end for her. Yet, the worst thing of them all was, her babys heart beat began to drop.
The hope that Nurin held on to quickly started to fade from the palms of her hands. But as that happened, the thought of Allah SWT suddenly came into her mind. She immediately knew that nothing can save the life of her baby except the Almighty.
œI just cried out to God, asking Him to forgive me for all the sins that I had done, she said. For the first time in her life, she began reciting the words of the Quran, praying for God to protect her and her babys life. Under Gods guidance, it was just pure will and determination that got her pushing for survival, until at last, the child was delivered.
Also, a new Muslim was finally born. Nurin said, œEver since then, Im able to see the big picture of things. The jigsaw puzzles in my mind just fell into place.
Nurins story is truly an inspiring one wrapped up with faith and courage. On the other hand, Lydias father, Harith Wong Chu Hing, had a different course in his path to Islam, one that is filled with curiosity and inquiry. Harith said, œFrom young, Ive always been exploring about life, and the Buddhist scriptures that Ive read have never made sense to me.
He recalls that in the past, every time he enters a Buddhist temple, a creepy feeling would linger in his mind from looking at the religious statues that were around. As years go by, a sweet university love story brought Harith and Nurin close together. It was at that time that Harith first heard about Islam from his lover.
He officially converted to Islam after Nurins experience at the labour room, but what compelled him to do so had less to do with his wifes decision and more about the greatness of the Quran. He was astonished with the scientific facts and reasoning presented in the the Holy Book despite it being written hundreds of years ago.
Harith said, œAs an engineer, I am a very rational thinking individual, and reading the Quran just confirmed to me how logical Islam is. The development of the human foetus, the phenomenon of day and night, even the theory of the big bang, all of those are written in the Quran in a way that clearly reflects what weve discovered through modern science.
It just goes to show how scientifically comprehensive the Holy Book truly is, to the point of being able to convince someone like Harith to join Islam through its rationale. So, after Lydias mother and father converted, where did that leave Lydia?
œWhen I first converted, it wasnt easy at all. There were so many confusion and criticisms from friends, said Lydia. Because she was young when she first embraced Islam, she had no prior knowledge about the religion and merely followed what her parents advised her to do. Thus, frustration rose a little. New commitments started to appear in Lydias life. She didnt really appreciate the unwanted attention she got from people around her. Plus, there was also the fear of having to join a new religious class in school filled with students she barely knew. It was definitely a difficult predicament for anyone to be in.
However, despite the difficulties she faced early on, without Lydia knowing, she began undergoing a spiritual transformation from within. The more Lydia went for classes, the more she began to understand about Islam. It seems that what used to be a source of fear slowly became a source of wisdom.
With the guidance of a teacher, the blank slate that she used to be was now filled with beautiful knowledge of Islam. She also grew more acquainted with the students in her class. They assisted her whenever she didnt understand an Islamic concept or idea.
œIts wonderful how this religion brought me close to people I never thought I would be close to, Lydia shared. The culmination of all this evolved her into a true believer and ultimately, a true Muslim.
So, relating this back to Chinese New Year, lets go through the usual routine that Lydia experiences every celebration. Her Chinese New Year would begin with a visit to her fathers hometown in Perak, a place she would usually spend the night gallivanting about, having traditional reunions with all her relatives and receiving ang pows.
And on the second day of Chinese New year, they will start driving to Melaka to attend the family gathering for her mothers side where shes able to mingle around with cousins of her own age. The night time festivities would include going wild with some exciting fireworks. Theres even the yee sang tradition served during dinner which involves tossing food into the air with a pair of chopsticks. Â So, is Chinese New Year different to Lydia as a Muslim compared to when she wasnt one? In Lydias opinion, not really.
A big reason to this is because she feels like she has been blessed with very accepting and understanding relatives who have welcomed her regardless of her beliefs. Regarding the matter, Lydia said œBlood is thicker than anything else, something that definitely reigns true for her.
When news broke out that she and her family had converted religion, like how most people would react, her relatives were a little shocked at first. They were wondering why they would do it. Yet, after being able to explain their deep and profound conviction to Islam, the extended family immediately respected their decision and embraced them whole heartedly. It takes a lot of empathy for them to do that, because some are not as understanding.
Lydia and her family are among the many Malaysian Chinese Muslims that are a part of a Chinese Muslim community called the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (MACMA). Unfortunately, from hearing stories of other Chinese Muslims and their experience of conversion, Lydia shared that many have received a totally different response from their relatives. Some were ostracized by their extended family for not approving of their new found religion. Others who are young and unable to support themselves were even disowned by their parents out of shock and anger.
MACMA is the only community that they rely on for a sense of belonging. Considering this fact, we realise how much of a blessing it is for Lydias relatives to be so kind and thoughtful towards them.
Lydias Chinese New Year celebration might have not changed much as a Muslim, but thats not to say there hasnt been any difference whatsoever. A big one that used to be a tradition to her family in the past was visiting the Chinese temples. They would do it because Chinese New Year is not only a racial festival, but also a spiritual one steeped with customs and superstitions. Think about the 12 zodiac animals, the offering of joss sticks to the ˜God of Prosperity, the mythical lions that make up the lion dance. They are all spiritual beliefs intertwined with Chinese New Year. However, now that theyve converted, all of these religious traditions have been abandoned.
Another thing that has also changed is food. Only halal food are served for every Chinese New Year that Lydia celebrates. Her relatives are understanding enough to follow her familys wishes and would join them along with the halal feast. Lydia and her family have a specific Chinese Muslim restaurant that they will all go to during Chinese New Year. A variety of Chinese halal dishes would be served on the table such as Poon Choy, butter prawns, Teowchew fish, Loh hon chai, and the list goes on.
For the other Chinese customs that are exhibited during Chinese New Year, Lydia only participates in body, never in mind and heart. Her relatives being Buddhists however, would continue performing their religious prayers nevertheless. At times, it would be in front of a Chinese altar, a designated location within a home thats filled with spiritual ornaments where Chinese people would commence their worshipping to past ancestors.
Despite witnessing these activities, Lydia and her family know that it is their duty to respect their relatives beliefs. With wisdom, Lydia says that œthere is no bad religion, only bad people. All religions teach us peace and respect.
Chinese New Year is a festive season that does not lose in essence despite a Chinese individuals conversion into Islam. Underneath it all, it is a time when Chinese people everywhere around Malaysia take pride in renewing silaturrahim (close ties) with family, friends, and relatives. In Lydias words, œI am a Chinese, and I will forever be a Chinese until Allah SWT takes me away from this world. Nothing can change who I am. ***