Ikhwan Ng's Blog, page 12

Hidden Writer

“Your father and I are feeling very upset with you, how dare you publish your conversion to Islam into magazine? Do you ever realize that the whole world will be laughing at us?” My mother spoke to me via mobile phone.

“Stop writing any article at internet anymore, your father open the blog link based on magazine, he feels more stressed with everything you have done. You just convert into Islam, how much do you really understand about that religion?”

Alright, I thought I am always being criticized by local Muslim that I am not qualified to understand Islam, now my mom is thinking the same thing. The theory is like I’m not born to understand what Islam about, that’s exclusively for the lucky one who born to be Muslim. My mother was telling me this depressing comment few weeks before I received my 2012 Brass Crescent Award. I was so frustrated till ever wonder that I should be closing down my blog and live peacefully, perhaps fully underground Muslim life.


A Chinese who embraced Islam A Chinese who married with non-Chinese Muslim (Most probably Malay Muslim)
Apparently, I didn’t listen to my parent’s advice at 2012. This blog still alive and all praises to Allah, I manage to get Honorable Mentioned – Best Regional Blog this year. The largest changes in my life since that conversation with my mom is, I stepped away from Magazine interview and TV interview. Staying out of the limelight so that my non-Muslim friends and relatives won’t aware my Muslim identity. This is kind of pathetic because I can’t tell my family that I just won some award, on the contrary the award I gain is really bad news for them, a truly “Family apostasy” that forgotten my Chinese cultural and identity.

Everything happens out of my expectation, although getting upset with my family disagreement regarding my interview in magazine, few days later I wrote a blogpost titled as The Whisper Of Kelantan Beach to praise the beauty of Allah’s creation. Perhaps I am ignorant enough with them, I just can’t let go of my passionate in sharing the beauty of Islam and breakthrough those misconception from our community. I am not a talkative person, so I take writing as an alternative to share my thoughts. Indeed it saves a lot of my time and energy to tell public the same story over and over again.



“Actually you and The Rocking Hijab books are publisher’s first attempt ever. We never publish any of the reverted Muslim books before.” After I finish my public speech regarding my book “Dengan Lafaz Dua Kalimah Syahadah (recitations of the shahadah)” at Islam Book Fair Selangor 9 few weeks ago, one of the officers told I about that.

“How could that be? I believe there must be a lot reverted Muslim submit manuscript to publisher?”
“I can’t tell you much about that, but I may say most of their manuscript isn’t published. By the way, how do you manage to contact with my publisher?”

Well… It started with an email. Seems like I’m kind of late to tell the story of my book publication, it has been released since Ramadhan month 2013. I was received an email from Must Read publisher last year December, they inform me that perhaps I can try to publish a book after they read my blog article. Again, I was stuck between the decisions of YES or NO.

YES! I should publish my first book ever to spread the message of Islam in Malay language!
NO…. My family will be getting upset again if they found out my book publication.

I took a deep thought about writing a book, in the end I decided to write a book in the will of serving Allah SWT. As we all know that very few Malay book talks about reverted Muslim with in depth information. Most of the reverted Muslim books are just mourning about how difficult to live as Muslim, so pathetic and sarcastic till almost get killed by depression. I know it because I was reading those books before I embraced Islam. Eventually I know nothing about Islam except emotional feelings from authors.

On the other hand, it’s time to deal with the real world based on al-Quran and Sunnah. Although reverted Muslim is still remain to be minorities, that doesn’t mean we must ignore the importance of inviting our non Muslim friend to take a look at Islam! Introducing what Islam briefly about and how they would manage to get rid of misconception is the most important knowledge for everyone. Most of the Islamic book we may found at bookshop is a bit advanced for non Muslim reader.

After I submit my manuscript, I specially request to publisher that don’t put my photo into author’s profile. Just in case my family found out my book, there wouldn’t be clear evidence that I’m the author. Although I become hidden writer that seldom show up myself, I’ll just let my blog and book do the talking part for me.



What do I mean "I'm living 2 kind of life"?
A humble way of life in reality that no one knows I'm blogger and writer, while another life goes into my articles.

Bedah Buku : Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah

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First Chinese Muslim Mosque In Malaysia

Guests attending the Hari Raya function at the Muhammadiah Mosque in Ipoh.
Most of my readers asking me whether I’m Taiping citizen, actually I had live my early childhood at Ipoh until the year I recited Shahadah at age 23. A small “Hijrah” to Taiping and start my new life at there. My heart is still missing Ipoh a lot, the place I grow up and had fun with my friends.

Whole Malaysia is surprised with the First Chinese-Muslim mosque built up at Taman Tasek Jaya, Ipoh Perak as published in The Star Newspaper:
“That one has Thai architectural influence,” he said.

“Therefore, this makes the mosque in Taman Tasek Jaya the pioneer with such architecture in the country. During the fasting month, several television stations featured the mosque in their documentaries.

“And, the very next day a busload of tourists from China visited it,” Dr Fadzli told reporters during a Hari Raya function at the mosque yesterday.

The construction of the mosque began two years ago, and it now houses an air-conditioned prayer hall, a pond, garden and other facilities.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, on behalf of the state government, presented RM300,000 to the mosque committee.

He said the place could be turned into a tourist attraction, just like what several mosques in the country were known for.

I went to the Masjid Muhammadiah 清真寺 and shot a few photos. I prefer to observe interesting stuff alone, looking for the details in everything.



I was standing outside of the mosque. My friend asked me whether it's a new Chinese Temple, definitely no... Just a mosque that adapted from China's ancient building.



Red color is synonym to Chinese New Year theme color. That's what I'm thinking of while passing by it. Why Chinese love Red color so much? Red color means lucky, festivity, warm, imaginative and passion.

From among a world of colors, red stands out the most. The color red is fresh and pure, and in China we call it China Red. Chinese people are fascinated by the color red not only because of its intoxicating vibrancy, but also because of its rich meaning in Chinese culture and history.

 It is believed that no country in the world has ever adopted a color in such a thoroughgoing way as China, where red is a symbol that gives color to the soul of the nation. In the past, red stood for dignity and mystery. Even now, we adore the color much more than we love it. It is can be said that ‘China Red’ is an eternal theme for China, and an essential color for the Chinese people. “China Red” has become a quite popular word, attracting the world’s attention.

Shooting red-colored things in China is an easy task, as its powerful presence can be found every-where. All traditional red things have been playing special roles in China: the walls of ancient palaces, the national flag, Chinese knot, lantern, couplet, clothes, traditional paper-cuts for window decorations, and even red tanghulu (sugar-coated haws on a stick). Red is the color of the auspicious, signifying reunion, health, happiness, harmony, peace and prosperity.

Only real things and events can fully display and explain its beauty. Only in its relation with people can the color be alive and meaningful. Here we will reveal the cultural significance of China red.

 http://blog.chinesehour.com/?p=164

 Left side poem :

真经奥妙万代传 : The amazement of testament (al-Quran) inherited for over ten thousand generations (Which mean a very long time ago)

Right side poem

清真正教自古降 : The righteous and true religion descended since ancient time

I love Chinese poem although not knowing to write any. If you can understand Chinese language, you may know the structure of Chinese poem must be formed in such a incredible way. And I know nothing beats the beauty of al-Quran.



The first thing I saw after step into mosque was this RED shoes rack, or helmet rack? I have no idea... I wonder is this rack imported from China also.



A very detailed history about Muhammadiah Mosque. It would be interesting if printed in English and Chinese language also. Kindly click here to get a larger view.


Visiting hours, Do and Don't for visitors.



Behind prayer hall. I can see red carpet though.



This is Sholat area for Muslimah, the decoration remind me of the China Drama. Normally mosque hang up white curtain in separating Muslimin and Muslimah.



Entry into the prayer hall and golden glass doors.




A never-seen-before decoration in Mosque.



I love to take a look at central dome whenever I visit Mosque. This isn't "Onion" or "Hershey's Kisses" as most non Muslim misunderstood, the origin of central dome origin from the Ottomans :

The Ottomans introduced central dome mosques in the 15th century. These mosques have a large dome centered over the prayer hall. In addition to having a large central dome, a common feature is smaller domes that exist off-center over the prayer hall or throughout the rest of the mosque, where prayer is not performed.This style was heavily influenced by Byzantine architecture with its use of large central domes. Hajja Soad's mosque took a pyramid shape which is a creative style in Islamic architecture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque 

This photo is taken from Masjid Muhammadiah Facebook page.











Answer Allah's call first (In red color, again)



I was looking at this stuff for a while and don't get what it mean. A dustbin? Chair?


Then I looked up, I saw these two drainage pipe above the "dustbin". I was wondering why they left the drainage pipe disconnected from above?



I was moving forward and backward to examine these two strange structure. Later on I found out that it's a unique drainage that let water flow directly into the "dustbin" below. Perhaps I should visit this mosque again at heavily raining day.



That's all for my Chinese Muslim Mosque travelogue... Feel free to share your thought about this mosque...

Polls now open for the Tenth Annual Brass Crescent Awards

All praises to Allah SWT, my blog Another Chinese Muallaf is nominated again this year.

Please vote my blog at http://www.brasscrescent.org/ at "Best Regional Blog" category.

Most importantly, check your email inbox to verify your vote... Jazakallah Khyran !!!

Getting Officially Muslim

Whenever someone who register his/her reversion to Islam at Department Of Islamic Affairs, they will be issued an Islam Card that stated:

Original Name Muslim NameDate Of Embrace Islam Identity Card Number
The reverted Muslim must be bring along the Islam Card wherever they go, especially when dealing with Islamic matters like marriage, register Hajj, request Zakat and even Islamic burial. These Islam Cards are issued by local state Islamic Department, which is not centralized and different design of card Islam from each state.
According to the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim in Sinar Harian, she explained that Reverted Muslim isn’t compulsory to change their name and religion status in the identity card. This is due to every registered Muslim will be given an Islam Card as a proof of their religion status. “They are only encouraged to update their identity card with Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Malaysia (National Registration Department Of Malaysia)” She added, “There is certain Muallaf don’t want to change their identity card’s details for safety reason and also hide their Islam status from family members.”

Islam Card is different from each states, although Selangor is so close with Kuala Lumpur.
Specially thanks Muhammad Fahmi Mike and Mohd Yusof Foo for their sharing. 
Islam is under the Malaysian federal constitution, Article 3 (1):

Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and
harmony in any part of the Federation.

Therefore, Malaysia identity card stated “Islam” status for every born Muslim and left blank for Non-Muslim no matter what is their belief among religions or atheist. I myself updated my identity card’s name and religion status right after 2 months of reversion, as I feel excited to be Muslim “Officially”. This is kind of awkward that whenever I have to show both of my identity card and Islam card, “Well… This is my non-Muslim identity card, while this Islam card will tell you the reason I’m here and that’s why.” The only fuss is I can’t change my home address after I had done my identity card details, the officer explained that they couldn’t simply change it without a valid electric or water bill. This matter was frustrating because I still didn’t own a house to get myself any bill. Therefore JPN send out the notice letter to my parent house and congrats me. Well done, you just got a new IC with ISLAM status!! (Alhamdulillah the letter wasn’t opened by any family members)

Once IC updated with new name, I went to update my driving license card, bank account, EPF, almost every official document except my education certificate and birth certificate. Make sure my IC name and number is linked with every related document. 
Identity Card's name unchanged and update "Islam" status
Islam Name is same as Original Name, special request ...
Written date of embrace Islam at behind of Islam Card
As I chat with Chong Kok Hoong AKA Mr. Red Hat via skype, he told me that he was registering new IC with JPN, what most interesting is he retains his original name and updated “Islam” status. As he said : 

Before I officially reverted with Shahada, I had did some research on Islamophobia, and reverts’ challenges before. Among the articles I read, I notice the notion of “Masuk Melayu (Becoming Malay)” is so prevalent among non-Muslim Chinese community. That made me determined to do something. One of it is to retain my full Chinese name, after I found out that reverts can actually retain their names if it has good meaning. Through reading articles like “Lim Jooi Soon selesa guna nama asal” and other related youtube videos. Thus, with my fully retained name, I hope it can be a “walking Da’wah” to my yet-to-be Muslim Chinese community.

However, the main point here is not about informing them regarding this name-retaining, but to create the awareness that name-changing is optional and NOT compulsory. From there, I can da’wah more to them by giving facts from Prophet’s companions and proofs in Islamic scriptures.

Aside Chong Kok Hoong “walking Da’wah”, I am also observing on few cases about Reverted Muslim being deny their Islam status by family members while passed away. Perhaps they are Underground Muslim who still didn’t declare their reversion or being deny their Islam status, family members might argue with Religion Department’s officer while they come to manage the funeral in Islamic way. Excuses given by family members like no sign of the deceased become Muslim while alive, the card Islam isn’t authentic, the signature on reversion document is different… I may assume that update Islam status on IC might be convincible proof for reverted Muslim to deal with official matters including at the day he/she passed away one day.
As I stated above about Islam card isn't centralised like IC, the registration of Islam status isn’t known by other states. Which mean if I move out from the Perak state where I registered as Muslim, other state can’t trace my Islam status except Perak state. Even if reverted Muslim want to request the help of Zakat or alms-giving, eventually they need go back to the state they registered to proceed with the official Zakat procedure. Hence register a new IC is just like an “life insurance” to declare our Islam identity, especially register marriage with Muslim partner and burial procedure. IC is a strong proof for declaration of Islam without getting interrupted by any NGO and people. Although it might be challenging for underground Muslim to struggle with community and family perspective, living the life of Officially Muslim.   
Perhaps there are certain readers questioning my intention of change my IC. This is not surprising because our country is living with frightening media about IC issue, like corpse getting snatched, can’t get out from Islam religion, unable to live as usual (non-muslim lifestyle). Media focus too much upon controversy cases without realize that there are more and more reverted Muslim choose their path towards Islam without threatened by anyone. Even if someone isn’t registered a new IC or Islam Card either, he still able to live his life as any Muslim since recited Shadahah, which mean :

There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Registration is just a procedure to ease reverted Muslim deal with Government Department, it doesn’t mean someone who lives at China secularism government may unable to live as Muslim due to no official application form available! As we may learn from this history : 

All this is clearly understood in the beautiful story where our Blessed Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, got upset with Usamah ibn Zaid, the beloved, the son of the beloved (he was named this because the Prophet, peace be upon him, loved him greatly).

Usamah was out on the battle field fighting the enemy. During the heat of the battle one of the enemies slipped and fell, so Usamah lifted his sword to strike him. Immediately the enemy shouted out “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasul-lullah,” yet, Usamah struck and killed the man anyway. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, heard of this and began to greatly blame and censure Usamah saying, “Did you kill him after he said it (the Shahadah)!?”  Usamah replied, “Oh Messenger of Allah, he only said it out of fear of the sword.”

“Did you look into his heart?! Oh Usamah,” replied the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. This same kafir may have killed many Muslims on that day, and he was in the act of fighting against the Muslims, yet, as soon as he said the Shahadah, even if it was in hypocrisy, and Usamah didn’t refrain himself and killed him, the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, became very upset.

The Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, continued to blame Usamah about what he did for the rest of the day, until Usamah said, “I wish that I became a Muslim after this day” (meaning that he wished that the event never even happened and that he could have a fresh start in Islam).

http://www.shariahprogram.ca/articles/Jihad-Habib-Jifry.shtml

 The controversy of Islam status on IC getting aroused with the case of Lina Joy, as stated in Reuters: 

(Reuters) - Malaysia's best known Christian convert, Lina Joy, lost a six-year battle on Wednesday to have the word "Islam" removed from her identity card, after the country's highest court rejected the change.

The three-judge appeal bench ruled 2-1 against Joy. The dissenting judge, the only non-Muslim on the bench, said the department responsible for issuing identity cards should have complied with Joy's request to remove "Islam" from her card.

He accused the National Registration Department of abusing its powers. "In my view, this is tantamount to unequal treatment under the law. She is entitled to an IC where the word Islam does not appear," dissenting Judge Richard Malanjum said.

Lina Joy, 43, was born Azlina Jailani and was brought up as a Muslim, but at the age of 26 decided to become a Christian. She wants to marry her Christian boyfriend, a cook, but she cannot do so while her identity card declares her to me Muslim. 

In 1999, the registration department allowed her to change the name in her identity card to Lina Joy but the entry for her religion remained "Islam".

http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/30/us-malaysia-religion-ruling-idUSSP20856820070530

I have no comment about apostasy of Lina Joy, just want to share how Malaysia Identity Card is being debate over religions organisation. So far there are no issue of non-muslim facing problem while register themselves as Muslim, no matter retain original name or not, is often overlooked by most people. Community still unaware the increasing numbers of non-muslim embrace Islam but condemn a few apostasy cases regarding wipe out "Islam" status on IC issue.
Faith matter needs no registration, as Allah (The Glorified and the Exalted) fully understand His servant’s heart. Getting official registered is our declaration as Muslim, also what every underground Muslim dream of everyday. 


Where there's a will, there's a way, Insha'Allah.

Temubual TV Al-Hijrah 29/08/13 : Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah

Berita Harian 31 Julai 2013 : Ulasan Buku Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah

Malaysia Reverted Muslim Statistic

Malaysia’s media overwhelmed with negative news against Reverted Muslim, like parent custody against children, heritage, cultural conflict and so on.

Those criticisms don’t stop the growing of Islam at Malaysia. More people started to realize the beauty of Islam and registered as Muslim officially. According to the World Religions Follower Statistic:

Christian 2.2 billion Islam 1.6 billion Hinduism 1 billion Buddhism 488 million
As we can see from the Malaysia’s Reverted Muslim Statistic, the growing of Muslim is larger than the minor issue on newspaper. All praises to Allah, the Lord of the World.

Please Vote "Another Chinese Muallaf" At Tenth Annual Brass Crescent Awards

Alhamdulillah, Tenth Annual Brass Crescent Awards is opening now to world wide Islamic Bloggers. I would like to invite you nominate my blog, Another Chinese Muallaf.

Please visit http://www.brasscrescent.org then fill in the details :

Blog Name: Another Chinese Muallaf
Blog URL : http://lifemualaf.blogspot.com/
Blogger: Ikhwan Ng
Category : Best Regional Blog 

Next step, fill in the question : "Why are you nominating this blog?". Click Submit Nomination.


I'm ready to serve more intriguing article at future, your vote might become inspiration to improve myself.