A Chinese
man and his Indonesian wife continue to celebrate the Chinese New Year with
their families just like before they converted to Islam three years ago, only
this time round they do it the Muslim way.
Ben Ooi
Chooi Beng, 38, and Ema Ariani, 43, who were both former Christians, don’t
perceive celebrating Chinese New Yer as an obstacle to their Islamic faith as
they perceive it as a “cultural” celebration not a religious one.
“Although I
am now a convert, I’m still Chinese and my relationships with my family members
have never been stronger. I became a Muslim, not a Malay. So, every Chinese New
Year, I would head over to my brother’s house in Bayan Lepas to celebrate with
other family members, including our parents, ” he said.
His parents
who have been staying with him in Bukit Mertajam, usually attend a celebration
dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year at his brother’s home and then visit their
relatives and friends.
“In
addition to Chinese New Year, my family members, who are all Christians,
celebrate Christmas but they know my limits as a Muslim, especially regarding
halal food. My brother would cook for all family members and buy halal food for
me and my family from outside. We would then enjoy the meals together. We
hardly see each other due to work commitments, so the Chinese New Year
celebration provides a golden opportunity to get together with the family, ” he
added.
He also
highlighted that his parents never disapproved of him for converting to Islam
but instead encouraged him to be a good Muslim.
“We respect
his decision and our relationship will never change or be broken. As the saying
goes, ‘blood is thicker than water’,” Ben’s father said.
Ben
sincerely expressed his gratitude to all his family members for accepting his
choices, especially his brother, Ooi Chooi Leong, 44, and sister, Ooi Kim Suan,
47, who provided his family with a prayer room in their homes.
(Courtesy: YeniŞafak)