The Lantern Festival ( Chap Goh Meh )

历正月十五元宵节，又称为“上元节”（the Lantern Festival），春灯节，是中国汉族民俗传统节日。正月是农历的元月，古人称夜为“宵”，而十五日又是一年中第一个月圆之夜，所以称正月十五为元宵 节。又称为小正月、元夕或灯节，是春节之后的第一个重要节日。中国幅员辽阔，历史悠久，所以关于元宵节的习俗在全国各地也不尽相同，其中吃元宵、赏花灯、 舞龙、舞狮子等是元宵节几项重要民间习俗。

According to Chinese Calendar, The Lantern Festival (Chap Goh Meh) is celebrated on15th day of First month Chinese Calendar. Also called as "Yuan Xiao Jie" （元宵节) . Local Malaysian prefer to call it "Chap Goh Meh" which is in Hokkien language, "The Fifteenth Night". Lantern Festival is one of the origin custom from China "Han" ethnic traditional festivals. 15th day of first month CNY also remarks the first "Full Moon" (As we knew, chinese calendar is emphasize a lot with the Moon phases). China has large territory and historical festival, so every district have their different custom to celebrate this festival. Few of the important custom like eating Festival Lunch together, watching lantern, dragon dance and lion dance.

Chinese New Year Drama Starring Razali & Yeo Wee Kiat

I know Yeo Wee Kiat personally.
University student who love to share and talk a lot. As contrary of me, quiet and a bit shy perhaps. I do admit of being a quiet person, as my primary school teacher gave me a lovely testimony in my academic record : Ng is a very quiet student, whenever I ask him question he always remain silent.

The teacher even asked my parent : Do your son have any "disorder" or "abnormal behavior".

No, I'm not mentally disorder as what claimed by my teacher.
I do believe my brain cell Hijrah from "communication room" into "non-verbal communication room". My character turns me into books and blog matters.

Everyone have their ability to spread the message of Islam.
Mine is Silent.

In the name of Allah, The Glorified and the Exalted

Bismillah

How do we understand al-Quran?
The answer is we understand  each al-Quran verse by looking for explanation from one another al-Quran verse.

Non-Muslim can't use "Allah" name and it's against freedom of speech? 
The answer already given by Allah The Glorified and the Exalted in al-Quran more than 1400 years ago before Malaysian debate this issue.

First of all, Allah s.w.t. already explain about Himself that none of the creation is looks like Him. As stated clearly in al-Quran, Surat Al-'Ikhlāş (The Sincerity) :

Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One, Allah , the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent."

The exclusiveness of "Allah" name?
Those people at the prophet time already argue about the name of god, when they being asked who is their god? They immediately said "Allah", but then they worship hundred idols that placed around Kaabah. Clearly contradicts what the real meaning of "Allah" which mean "One God". As stated in al-Quran:

And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and earth?" they would surely say, " Allah ." Say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allah "; but most of them do not know.

 (Surat Luqmān (Luqman) 31:25)

Allah s.w.t. more than just a name to behold. Allah s.w.t. isn't idolatry to be worshiped. This is clearly stated in al-Quran for servant's mindset that when they asked who is the Creator of Universe? They answer "Allah". But then, at the same time they praise to the idolatry for the faulty they made although they claim god is Allah.

This is pointless to say which religion have the right to use "Allah" in Torah or Bible. Everyone has the right to talk about "Allah", and most importantly we are not talking about "Name", we are talking about the "Awareness" of knowing who is our Creator (Surat Al-'Ikhlāş ).

Mourn Over Reverted Muslim Chai Jian Xiong （蔡健雄)

Chinese article written by Brother Esa Yap and translated

A Chinese Muslimin, had commit suicide by hanged himself inside Police Station's office that placed at Pekan Nanas, Pontian district, Johor. The deceased aged 29 years, embraced Islam last year. According to his colleagues, Chai Jian Xiong （蔡健雄) embraced Islam due to close relationship with a girl. Chai Jian Xiong seems to be worried over their relationship, also claimed had an argument with girlfriend last wednesday, hence go and back between Melaka state and Pekan Nanas few times.

A Rescued Mosque In Kuala Kangsar, Perak

The Ihsaniah Iskandariah Mosque was first built in 1936, funded by the late Almarhum Paduka Seri Sultan Iskandar Shah, the 30th Sultan of Perak.

Its design and decoration were inspired by and based on the architecture of Istana Kenangan in Bukit Chandan. The mosque is broadly cube-shaped and has a flat roof. The walls, made of kelarai (woven bamboo) in a diamond motif, were produced by local villagers. It is the only mosque in Malaysia (and possibly in the world) to have woven bamboo walls.

Life In A Maze

Play this Maze before reading

Link : 迷宫人生 Life In A Maze Translated Article
This article is also available in Chinese at Blog Esa Yap @ Mini Documenatary Magazine.

When I was a kid, I used to be attending tuition class. I started my first tuition class at standard 3, studied English and Bahasa Malaysia course. My native language is Chinese language, so it would be lousy to learn an unfamiliar language at childhood times. My attention and interest flew to nowhere while teacher was teaching us. Day dreaming and remain silent as always, as if there weren’t any serious tuition class I ever attend.

Mrs. Lee was my teacher, she has a long straight hair and oval shape face, and the spectacles make her eyelid looks heavier. Mrs. Lee always smiling at her students while teaching us, no matter how hard to make us memorize some simple vocabulary or English grammar, she putted every effort to make us squeeze out our brain cells.

DONATE NOW FOR GAZA VICTIMS !

The Long Forgotten Path

According to the Book "Malaysian Chinese : An Inclusive Society", author Rosey Wang Ma mentioned this in her article "The Chinese Muslims" :

The Chinese Muslims, though small in number, form a very distinct and unorthodox group in Malaysian society. In a country where ethnicity and religion are so entwined, these people are of the ethnicity of one community - the Chinese, while professing the religion of another - the Malays. For many, this situation has an implication on the social and political identity of the convert. The question often raised is: "By embracing Islam, or in more popular terms, by converting (read to Islam, in the whole context in this chapter), how much of Chineseness can one retain, and how much of Malayness should one adopt? 

Many people would think; should this even be an issue? However, in practical life, this does sometime create a dilemma. What does he/she write in the box asking for "bangsa" (Race) in all forms, official and unofficial? He will not write Malay, because he is not; but if he writes Chinese, he is assumed not to be Muslim. 

Crunching Tomatoes

From my previous article Chinese Calligraphy By Imam Haji Abdul Hakim , I mentioned about Mazlan and his friends who studying at Beijing. I know them through Mr. Red Hat who studied there. At the moment they were organizing Chinese Calligraphy shows, they were showing a short film named as "Tomato 1.0" on stage. I was standing quite far away from the projector screen so merely could see their short film.

One day I was try to search their video on youtube, alhamdulillah I found their video that sounds like computer software. Their videos are quite simple, but the message regarding being better Muslim and taking care of brotherhood are so strong that able to move audience's heart.

Today I just noticed they release a "Tomato 2.0" version, so I would like to share with everyone their effort in doing this short film. Unlike any other famous "Gangnam" parody, these videos are original script written along with Islamic values.
                                
Please support Malaysian Muslim productions.  : )
May Allah SWT bless their effort to spread the message of Islam.

Tomato 1.0 

Tomato 2.0

Share the beauty of Islam

Eid Mubarak & Brass Cresent Awards

Eid Mubarak to my readers.
All praise is due to Allah SWT, the result of BrassCrescent Awards was published last friday. Out of my expectation that my Blog become Winner for the Best Regional Blog category !

I would like to thank everyone for voted me and supports. I do appreciated a lot with this award since I'm not born-to-be Muslim and writer. Among cultural practices and religions indeed there are a lot of remarkable signs of towards Islam.

I received a Logo from http://brasscrescent.org
Islam isn't about blind belief but it's a journey of seeking His knowledge. Whereby the truth itself will shine and stay firm from the influence of wrongdoers. 


Recite in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance.Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous, who taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.

(Surat Al-`Alaq (The Clot) 96 : 1-5)

The Whispers of Kelantan Beach

Kelantan Seashore

Seashell Anyone?

"Come on, try read this phrase with me : "She.sell.sea.shell.at.sea.shore". This is what my tuition teacher taught yesterday." Linda is talking with my friend Ah Meng.

Ah Meng take deep breath and spill it out : "SHE SHHH SEA SHHEEE AT SEA SHORRR !!!"

My friends was laughing at his bravery and pronunciation back in school times. Every chinese students learn to be multilingual learner with Malaysia's environment, which is Mother tongue language, Chinese Language, Malay and English. The challenges to achieve the level of multilingual may twist our tongue and brain most of the time.

As time goes by, I realized that language is a bridge to connect with more people and community. Most importantly I found the trace and connection of Islam from different source within my recognize of languages. Among different cultural and language I have found a clear path towards Allah (The Glorified and the Exalted).


A straight path that breakthrough cultural diversity and race relations.

Being Published In Magazine Mingguan Wanita

Alhamdulillah, all the praises and thanks be to Allah. My reversion to Islam is being published at the Magazine Mingguan Wanita latest issue.

My journey towards Allah (The Glorified and the Exalted) didn't went smooth at 2008. A lot of challenges and trials I went through. However it turn out to be experience which make me a stronger person. Life is full of test and trials. Just like what Yasmin Mogahed share at facebook :

"If experience is what taught you, feel honored. Your teacher was God."

I didn't born to be a blogger who writes about Islam. My journey of realizing Islam is a surprise, however my pursue towards Islam is full of tears and sweat. While in the midst of sorrow and depression along with family problems, I rely fully on Allah SWT and secondly, my wife who gives me support.

When time goes by, I was striving to learn Islam till now. It's a never ending journey toward Allah SWT. Even our beloved prophets also trained their patience by shephered over sheep. As stated in hadith :

‘Every prophet commissioned by God was a shepherd over a flock of sheep.’
His companions asked him: ‘Even you, O Messenger of God?’ He said: ‘Yes, I would take care of a flock of sheep for the people of Makkah.’

(Bukhari 2143)


May Allah SWT show us His guidance.

VOTE ME !! Ninth Annual Brass Crescent Awards

Alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah SWT. My Blog is running as finalist at http://www.brasscrescent.org/, in category "Best Regional Blog".

If you think this blog is good enough, please VOTE me... Just go to "Best Regional Blog" category, tick on my blog then you may go to the bottom part and insert your email address. Once you have submitted the vote, please check your email to confirm the vote again. (Otherwise the vote will be void)

Actually I feel very surprised that my blog link is selected, there are many more bloggers who experienced and professional, only me is Reverted Muslim + Malaysian I guess. It's doesn't matter that I will become winner or not, as long as what my little effort benefit readers, inshaAllah.


Jazakallah Khyran to the host of Ninth Annual Brass Crescent Awards and my sweet readers.

http://www.brasscrescent.org/

Scroll down to "Best Regional Blogger", you will be see my Blog title . Tick on the circle beside blog name ... and then scroll down to the bottom and you will be see the pic as below

Tick on the square box, insert email address... Then OPEN EMAIL to confirm your vote, otherwise it will be void

About Malaysia Reverted Muslim

Taking Wudu

MR. FUN

“Fun, what do you think about this software? It can put your photo as pendrive Icon. Looks cool right?”
“Hey, I told you many times “Fun” is my surname, why don’t you just call my proper name?”

“Alright, Fun.”

Mr. Fun was my best friend at Institute, we was the only Chinese among every IT students. We used to share the same hostel room, did all the stupid stuffs and nonsense for nothing. It was my relaxing moment to have him as my best friend while studying, eating Maggie, and hanging around. Just both of us most of the time.

“Fun, I’m just embraced Islam recently. By the way, I’m inviting you to my marriage ceremony.”
“Are you serious?” Mr. Fun looking at me with his eyeballs nearly popped out.

"Yeah, seriously."

Mr. Fun never thinks that’s a funny joke. Our conversation ended here at 2008. He deactivated Myspace.com account, disconnected me from Friendster.com. While I accidentally lost his handphone number.

He is my first best friend who knew about my embracement with Islam, also the last.

BUKU : Pasca Syahadah

Syukur alhamdulillah, Bro Faisal Abdurrahman telah menghasilkan buku karyanya yang ketiga : Pasca Syahadah. Berikut adalah serba sikit mengenai buku dan cara tempahannya, semoga bermanfaat kepada pembaca.