Why You Should Consider Not Eating Pork

Last few days I have found an article  : "Why You Should Consider Not Eating Pork" - Collective Evolution

Whenever media have published news about Islam to Chinese community, the first question would be, "Why Islam forbidden followers to consume pork?" In a matter of fact, this was the question I always asking myself during teenage time. Let's be frank about this issue, eating pork is a daily basis in most Chinese community. We (Chinese) live with pork dishes served in our house, we may find various kind of lunch served with pork in restaurant. It's so normal that become one of the Chinese lifestyle in eating.

Wakaf Buku "Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah"

Berita : http://mustread.com.my/v1/index.php?route=information/news/news&news_id=83

Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah merungkaikan peristiwa yang lazim berlaku kepada muallaf bagi membuka mata masyarakat untuk mengenali siapa mereka serta memberi jalan penyelesaian kepada rakan yang masih mencari kebenaran.

Ia lebih kepada pengelaman penulis buku itu sendiri, Ikhwan Ng yang memeluk Islam dan melalui pengalaman yang mencabar jiwa yang baru ingin mengenal Tuhan. Ketika melihat stor yang digunakan rakan Muslim untuk solat, penulis tertanya di manakah Tuhan yang disembah oleh orang Islam.

Buku yang dutulis oleh Ikhwan Ng ini berasal dari Perak dan memeluk Islam pada Ramadan 2008 itu boleh dijadikan pengajaran kepada pembaca. Untuk memberi manfaat yang sejagat, tuan puan yang mahu melebarkan dakwah buku ini, boleh menyertai projek Wakaf Buku Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah.

Ini keratan akhbar Berita Harian, bertarikh 31 Julai 2013.

Projek Wakaf Buku Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah

"Semua buku yang diwakafkan akan diberikan kepada Non Muslim, juga kepada NGO yang melakukan aktiviti Dakwah. Saya amat terharu dan ingin mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih kepada semua yang memberikan wakaf buku. Semoga mesej Islam terus disebarkan dengan penuh hikmah dan ilmiah. Semoga Allah membuka pintu hati pembaca Non Muslim untuk menerima Islam, Syukran." Ikhwan Ng.

Bagaimana mahu menyumbang?

Mohon menghubungi Ikhwan Ng (012-3979998)

Mereka bekerjasama untuk melaksanakan projek wakaf itu untuk memastikan setiap Non Muslim dapat membaca buku itu dan aktiviti dakwah kepada Muallaf terus dilaksanakan. Ia penting supaya iman mereka terus diberi cahaya Islam yang suci.

"Season Pass" Into Muslim Interracial Marriage

While I'm reading my book's reader (Ita Si Merah Jambu) comment about interracial marriage, which is briefly about a chinese man who leaving Islam after he getting divorced with his Muslim wife.. Is there lots of people who embraced Islam just solely for the sake of marriage?

This comment reminds me one of my friend, Jenny (not her real name) who had conversations with me in email before. She told me that how she went through lots of challenges and trials in learning Islam, being discriminated by family upon her will. But her boyfriend left her eventually.. Since then Jenny became so disappointed with her boyfriend's decision since she had sacrificed a lot for the relationships. Although she was being criticized, she didn't mind at all until the one she trust the most was leaving her behind, although she might be even embrace an unfamiliar religion for the sake of this interracial relationship.

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Chinese Newspaper explains how to perforn "Sertu"

Yesterday I have read Chinese Newspaper about Muslim not that anti-dog like shooting them with an arrow, throwing stones... Because There are certain Muslim who trying to declare the real teachings of Islam and "Sertu".

Sertu is a purification from heavy najis. The method is to pour one mixture of water and earth, and 6 pourings of water on the affected area. One can begin with any pouring, either water or the mixture. The earth used must not be contaminated with najis substances.

Today, my fb wall and local newspaper flooded with this question: "Who let the dogs out?"

How it started:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/i-want-to-touch-a-dog-event-a-big-hit-with-muslims

How it ends:
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/10/21/Touch-a-dog-event-draws-flak-from-authorities-Islamic-scholars-question-the-need-for-campaign-and-i/

http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/10/20/syed-azmi-gets-support-amidst-mounting-criticism-dog-event/

‘I want to touch a dog’ event a big hit with Muslims - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/i-want-to-touch-a-dog-event-a-big-hit-with-muslims#sthash.1TE6XyIo.dpuf

I would like to take this as an opportunity to invite Muslim and Non-Muslim revise what is the myth between Islam and Dog. I don't agree or deny with "I Want To Touch A Dog" campaign (which cause lots of controversy in Malaysia recently) but let the truth be spoken. As quoted in this article by veterinary surgeon:

Dogs in Islam
http://www.islamicconcern.com/dogs.asp

Animal Abuse and Welfare in Islam
by Dr. Ayoub M. Banderker (BVMCh),
veterinary surgeon

Animal abuse, cruelty, and/or neglect form part of the many social ills plaguing the Muslim community.

Last Ramadaan, I wrote an article highlighting the phenomenon whereby misinformed Muslims took their dogs (and/or cats) to the animal hospitals or mobile clinics during Ramadaan, to have them put to death by lethal injection. The reason given by the majority of these Muslims was that Islam forbids them to keep a dog. Also encountered was when an animal that had been ill for a prolonged time and the disease had progressed to an almost terminal state was it only then brought in for veterinary attention. When asked why they waited so long, the Muslim owner would use Islam as a reason, stating that it is not permissible to touch a dog. This still happens.

Covert Racism - An Edible Poison

With Mr. Shi Wei'an ( 史未安; a reverted Dai'e from Jiangsu, China ) 4th from left,
MACMA staffs, and brothers of Islam in Malaysia

This article is written by Farish Chong, please visit his blog at  http://zhangfarish.blogspot.com/
 

Covert racism is a form of racial discrimination that is disguised and subtle, rather than public or obvious. Concealed in the fabric of society, covert racism discriminates against individuals through often unnoticeable or seemingly passive methods. Covert, racially-biased decisions are often hidden or rationalized with an explanation that society is more willing to accept. These racial biases cause a variety of problems that work to empower the suppressors while diminishing the rights and powers of the oppressed. Covert racism often works subliminally, and often much of the discrimination is being done subconsciously.

Refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_racism

No doubt, we had enough of racism, especially these petty but controversial ones in Malaysia. However, there is another kind of racism that is infecting anyone subconsciously. Let’s be frank but fair. No doubt, we are all sick of hearing these racism matters floating across the media. Yet, there is another aspect of racism that needs to be heard and understood urgently, so that we can teach our future generations and not repeat this same mistake in future.

Draf Bedah Buku "Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah"

Semalam saya tengah mengemas documents dalam computer, terjumpa teks ucapan yang saya sediakan untuk taklimat bedah buku "Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah" pada tahun lepas. Saya rasa ramai orang tidak tahu apakah yang saya telah berucap mengenai buku ini, maka lebih baik saya share draf bedah buku ini kepada semua.

Draf Bedah Buku DL2KS : Disember 2013
Pengenalan diri

Muhammad Ikhwan Ng bin Abdullah
Berasal dari Ipoh Perak. Memeluk Islam pada 2008 bulan ramadhan

Saya melibat diri dalam penulisan blog mengenai kisah kehidupan sebagai muslim sejak 2010, juga menghuraikan masalah yang dihadapi oleh kebanyak muallaf.

BUKU DL2KS merupakan buku pertama saya.

Premium Yunnan Green Tea

See the differences between teabag and loose leaf greentea yourself.
Left: crunched leafs and coloring. Right: Original loose leaf with no artificial coloring.

Ask for a FREE SAMPLE now! 
sms/whatsapp your name and address to 012-3979998 (Ikhwan Ng)


Why should we choose loose leaf Yunnan Green Tea?
Loose leaf tea have higher quality and no artificial coloring compared to tea bags.

For more information about Yunnan Green Tea from China, kindly sms/whatsapp me: 012-3979998 or email : lifemualaf@gmail.com (Delivery within Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah/Sarawak)


Green tea doesn’t just sing to the soul, either— its health benefits are noteworthy as well. Due in part to minimal processing during production, greenteas offer the most antioxidant polyphenols of all teas. Catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), abundantly found in the green tea leaf, is considered to be the catalyst for the tea’s antioxidant and anticancer effects. As we know, antioxidants naturally stabilize the pro-oxidative free radicals in our systems before they attack our bodies’ cells.  When we are excessively exposed to pollutants, alcohol, and medications, for example,  antioxidants found in nutrients like Vitamin E and C can help to balance our oxidative metabolism.

Thus, with a cup full of antioxidants, green tea drinkers reduce their risk for a wide range of diseases and reap the benefits of a balanced system. Aside from from helping to prevent cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, and depression (to name a few), green tea is also linked to clearer, smoother skin and weight loss. Not too shabby for hot water and some tea leaves!

A few tips for consumption:

- When possible, use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags for higher quality.
- Let your tea leaves steep for three to five minutes before straining them out.
- If you’re pouring tea for guests too, try “cycle pouring”– the first cup poured is weaker than the last, so rotating pours to each cup will equally distribute the tea strength.
- Drink your green tea without sugar or milk. The raw robust taste may take some getting used to, but it is acquired (and delicious)!
- Citrus juices complement green tea’s antioxidants and make them easier for your body to absorb. A slice of lemon is a great additive.
As with anything, moderation is key. Green tea is naturally and deceptively caffeinated; for those who are sensitive to caffeine, one cup should be enough.

Happy sipping.

source : http://zibbleinc.com/superfood-saturday-green-tea/

前线视窗 之 华裔穆斯林 Galeri Nasional Mandarin

As shown in TV2 during Eid al-Fitr, also my very first time to talk about Islam in Mandarin language. Please share and give comments..

（请点击 HD 以高清影片式观赏）
(Sila tekan "HD" untuk menontonnya dalam format High Definition)

“前线视窗”于2014年开斋节日播映了有关华裔穆斯林以及怡保首座华裔清真寺/回教堂。希望大家可以把这系列影片分享出去。

Slot Galeri Nasional Mandarin telah menjalani temudga mengenai Chinese Muslim dan Masjid Muhammadiah Tasek Jaya Ipoh (Masjid Cina ), Ia disiarkan sejak Hari Raya Aidilfitri pertama 2014 sehingga 5 Syawal. Mohon sebarkan siri video ini supaya dapat berkongsi kepada semua orang.

#1 宽恕 Bermaaf-maafan:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694634977271128&l=2478386722089148225

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=4FBE02C5E00E45A7%21110

 
#2 斋戒 Puasa:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694655130602446&l=4934571574102256626

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=4FBE02C5E00E45A7%21112


#3 穆斯林 Muslim
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694676690600290&l=3845138499429673432

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=4FBE02C5E00E45A7%21109


#4 华裔穆斯林 Cina Muslim
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694692683932024&l=6790781189236307913



https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=4FBE02C5E00E45A7%21108


#5 中华风格清真寺 Masjid Gaya Ala-China
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694695853931707&l=942301962000433725

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=4FBE02C5E00E45A7%21107 
 

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 25: Short Film - A Journey To Remember

Pustaka Badrul Production - A Journey To Remember
25 Ramadhan 1435H

Sinopsis : Mazlan dikenali di universitinya sebagai seorang yang kedekut dan tidak suka membantu orang lain. Justeru menyebabkan beliau tidak mempunyai ramai rakan. Suatu hari, beliau tela didatangi oleh seseorang yang bernama Fakhrul yang mengaku dirinya berasal dari dimensi lain, dan ingin membawa Mazlan mengembara ke dimensinya. Adakah Mazlan akan menerima jemputan pengembaraan Fakhrul. Bagaimanakah pengembaraan itu sebenarnya? Sama-sama saksikan dalam 'A Journey To Remember'.

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 17: 马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列 - Malaysia Chinese Muslim In A Nutshell

Mimbar, Chinese Muslim Mosque, Ipoh.
敏拜尔,敏拜楼(指清真寺殿内的宣教台,形如楼梯)

This is articles about Malaysia Chinese Muslim published by Nan Yang Newspaper （南洋商报） at 2010 year. A bittersweet and complicated of our Reverted Muslim story. Although there is slightly incorrect statement about Islam and Muslim, the rest about social and prejudice against Reverted Muslim is defined precisely.

Still, it's very interesting for Chinese readers to have a glance about who is Chinese Muslim in Malaysia.

以下的文章是由南洋商报于 2010 年所刊登相关马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列。 基于华裔穆斯林一直处于灰色地带，鲜少人真正了解华裔归信穆斯林的真正状况与外界的压力。然而这并不代表身为穆斯林的华裔就得一直低着头过活，我们仍然拥有自身的使命去让外界理解何以我们选择了伊斯兰，甚至可以向外界讲解有关“回教”一词并不恰当于形容 Islam 这一个阿拉伯文字。

“回教”顾名思义就是回回族的宗教，而 Islam 的真正涵义有两个：顺从和平安。伊斯兰本身提倡‘顺从真主’。所以 Muslim 这一个阿拉伯字的涵义就是“顺从真主的仆人”，也反驳了“回教徒”这局限了其定义为：回回种族的宗教教徒。况且马来西亚何来的中国少数民族？大部分的穆斯林都是马来同胞和印度同胞。皆因伊斯兰本身就是世界性的宗教，从没有区分肤色与富贫之别。

由于有关华裔穆斯林的中文文献相当有限，谨此分享源自南洋商报的一些文章。若要深一步探讨和了解华裔穆斯林敬请留言或者电邮： lifemualaf@gmail.com

祈愿真主赐予您平安


马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列1:大马华裔穆斯林 情何以堪？

马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列2:马华穆斯林历史 郑和引航

马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列3: 信奉穆斯林等同放弃 本身文化与身分？

马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列4:政治？节庆？异族？异教？ 身分归类的疑惑

马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列5: 改教风波 如何平息？

马来西亚华裔穆斯林系列6（完）:厘清宗教灰色地带 回归自由

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 12: The true Gaza back-story that the Israelis aren’t telling this week

This is what you won't read from local Newspaper, everybody is busy about Fifa World Cup and who is going to be the Winner? Argentina? German??

This is a saddening Ramadan month, please pray for our Muslim brothers sisters at Gaza right now. If you ever wonder what's going on between Israel and Gaza, this is an informative article:

Original Link :
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-true-gaza-backstory-that-the-israelis-arent-telling-this-week-9596120.html

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 5: Hibernation

Well... I promised myself to write 30 articles for 30 days before this.
Seems like I have failed to do it. I feel sorry for the weak outcome.

There's too much commitment to deal with in reality. At least I'll be back to my blogging life after everything settled down. May everyone have a faith fulfilled Ramadan Month.

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 4: The Hunger Games

Everytime I walk into Pasar Ramadhan and it's 6pm.

Today I'm not feeling well...
So I would just write a simple article today.

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 3: Iftar And Tarawih In Madian Mosque, Beijing, China

Zhang Farish (Mr. Red Hat) is travelling at Beijing, China right now. He can't even access into Facebook, Blogspot and Wordpress. The only communications we have is just Whatsapp. Alhamdulillah, I received lots of information from him again. Although we only met each other only one time this year, we are actively chatting over internet communications.

I would like to share his journey at 北京市马甸清真寺 (Madian Mosque) at first Iftar day based on our Whatsapp conversations :

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 2: Bazaar Ramadan

Bazaar Ramadan in Malaysia
(Credit: The Malaysian Times)

When I was a kid and saw Bazaar Ramadan (Pasar Ramadan). "Hooray!!! The annual Pasar Malam FIESTA (Night Market) is held up again for weeks!! "

Later on 8pm I rode bicycle to there... "Where’s everyone?”

The whole Bazaar Ramadan was cleaned up at 8pm, only left a few hawkers selling foods. That’s my first memory about Bazaar Ramadan, only Malay hawkers and mostly Malay’s cuisine. Unlike Pasar Malam (Night Market), the bazaar is selling all sorts of goods like foods, clothes, fruits etc. I was a top fan of VCD and fried chicken back in 90’s time. Normally those hawkers selling goods until 10.30pm, so it’s kind of unusual for me whenever I failed to buy something at Bazaar Ramadan around 8pm.

::Ramadan Reflections::Day 1: Shepherd

Every prophet was a shepherd

All praises to Allah SWT, I’m going to perform the sixth year fasting in this year’s Ramadan. I have decided to make a “Ramadan Reflections” writing project that present 30 articles in 30 days of Ramadan month, for the first time ever. Besides celebrate the 6th years of embraced Islam, I would like to relearn the meaning of Taqwa spiritually and physically.

I have the toughest moments since last year November until now, it’s seriously affect my life and also this blog’s writings. Perhaps my readers may realized that I write the most least articles this year, unproductive and dull. What’s troubled me the most is whenever I put too much hopes upon others, they turn out to be upset me the most. Therefore I have realized that I lost my Taqwa gradually since last year, hoping the best from others.

Please Nominate My Blog For The Eeleventh Annual Brass Crescent Awards

If you enjoy my blog, "Another Chinese Mualalf"
PLEASE NOMINATE MY BLOG FOR THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL BRASS CRESCENT AWARDS AT http://www.brasscrescent.org/

Kindly fill in these details:

Blog name: Another Chinese Muallaf
Blogger : Ikhwan Ng
Blog URL: http://lifemualaf.blogspot.com
Category: BEST REGIONAL BLOG

And most importantly... please fill in this form very carefully!
"Why are you nominating this blog?"

Thanks for your support!!

 

How I Met Your Daughter

Last month Brother Zhang Farish had visited Thailand and sent me this photo via whatsapp. Something that caught my attention was the name that carved on tomb stone, 黄業海 (Husband) and Ramin Binti Randah (Wife). Every chinese tomb stone tells the family name, ethnic and background of deceased, the deceased chinese male has the same surname as mine, 黄(Yellow), from Hai Nan Island and passed away at 1985 years. While his wife is intentionally left blank on the date of deceased, most probaly she is still alive.

“Where did you take the photo?” I asked Zhang Farish in whatsapp.
“Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the buddhist temple I visit in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.”

DR Seenivasagam Garden, Ipoh

There was a couple taking wedding photos

Life goes up and down.
There’s a lot of challenges happening in my life, whenever I feel like suffocating.. I would go to recreation park to relax myself. I have been doing it before embraced Islam, looking for some inspiration to move on with my life.

I’m sorry that haven’t update my blog for quite long time. Please pray for me that I will get rid of every troublesome matters that messing with me right now, then I will be present more articles in the future inshaAllah.

Chindian Muslim Kiosk

I have an email conversation with Jasmeen Tay Abdullah regarding her “Chindian Muslim Kiosk” since last year. Jasmeen Tay and her husband have started back their business in mid of January 2014. Here is an excerpt from our conversation.

From : chindianmuslim@gmail.com
Sat, Oct 12, 2013 at 4:16 PM

Thanks for the autograph on your books :)

One book is for our son and daughter and the other one book is to be used at our gerai's mini library. We are planning to start a small reading corner at our gerai ChindianMuslim Kiosk whereby anybody or any race whom are keen or having doubts about Islam can sit at our stall and read all kinds of Islamic knowledge book while enjoying a meal at our stall. (instead of having UXXv, Mxnggx, Mxstxkx and etc as a reading materials).

InsyaAllah, hopefully we can use this way to touch more hearts to revert to Islam as a way of life.

We are selling Halal DimSum, Mini Pau(cooked or frozen), Mee Bandung Muar and Kopi 434 Muar at our mini stall. We hope that through or mini gerai and mini library, our little efforts can be a way of dakwah to more people.

How Islamic Is Your Name?

Previously I have written few articles about should Reverted Muslim change their name or not? As stated:

The Myth of "Bin Abdullah" (2011) and Getting Officially Muslim (2013)

This time I would like to share a true story from Reverted Muslim, Sophea Ng who retains her name while registered as ‘Islam’ on Identity Card. Please bear in mind that Islam is a universal religion, it would be unfair to turn someone into ‘Cultural Muslim’ according to Nusantara’s cultural.

Please enjoy this heartwarming and honest story:

Bill Nye VS Ken Ham: Should Scientists Bother To Debate Creationism?

Creation Museum head Ken Ham, right, speaks during a debate on evolution with TV's 'Science Guy' Bill Nye, at the museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. Photograph: AP

I would like to share a debate between noted science communicator Bill Nye, and the president of Kentucky’s Creation Museum, Ken Ham.Their debates might be irrelevant to Islam, perhaps full of controversial and misleading for certain Muslim. The reason I share this video is because I'm not born to be faithfully Muslim, I was seeking answer from every reachable media and books about God. It would not be surprising that I am tolerable with this controversial debate because God shows us the eternal answer for mankind, regardless of what religion background and race, we still have the will of seeking our Creator.

Please enjoy this fresh debate video that happened last few days. As attached the original news from The Guardian. 

Bill Nye v Ken Ham: Should Scientists Bother To Debate Creationism?
http://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2014/feb/05/bill-nye-vs-ken-ham-creationism-science-debate

Last night, we were treated to a two-and-a-half hour debate between noted science communicator Bill Nye, and the president of Kentucky’s Creation Museum, Ken Ham. Ham is a Young Earth Creationist, which means he believes that the Earth was created around 6,000 years ago, following a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative from the bible. On the other hand, Nye is a scientist, who draws upon multiple lines of converging evidence, from a wealth of sources, which shows that the Earth was formed around 4.5bn years ago, and that all life descended from a universal common ancestor around 3.5bn years ago. Here’s the debate in full:

Bill Nye debates Ken Ham, February 4th 2014.

Seeking For The Eternal Sunshine

Books.
I could see tons of books falling down like snowflakes from sky. I felt so excited and waiting for those books to fall on ground gently. Then I picked it up and thinking: “Precious knowledge is only coming from sky, none of us may write such a knowledgeable book except what comes from sky."

Indeed, I told my friends that I believe that books are falling from sky while I was 5 years old. They were laughing at my silly idea and I didn’t know why. I was dreaming the same scene almost every day, the same books, same blue sky, and I was waiting patiently for their arrival. As time goes by, I managed to realize that none of the books are falling from sky dramatically. Those books are written by different authors and being published at market, whether it’s imaginary fairytale or nonfiction, never dropped from the high sky.