‘Islam is beautiful’: Honn Yu stands steadfast in faith, identity

 

Ta Honn Yu and his wife Mahfuzatul joyfully celebrate their respective festive seasons with cherished family members. (Ta Honn Yu pic)

PUTRAJAYA: 

Every time Aidilfitri comes around, Ta Honn Yu’s home is filled with his own family members and those of his wife, Mahfuzatul Izyan Zainir.

Having embraced Islam in 2016, the 31-year-old civil servant continues to use his original name for all official matters, including in his workplace at the ministry of women, family and community development.

Their two children also have Chinese names: Ta Qii Ann and Ta Qii Zheng. Four year-old Qii Ann’s Islamic name is Hidayah, while one-year-old Qii Zheng is known as Taufik.

“I want to show the community that Islam is beautiful: it does not force anyone to change their original identity,” Ta told FMT.

“The only thing that changes is my way of worship, but my identity as a Chinese remains intact.”

Ta bases his view on the Quran, specifically Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 5 (33:5), which says a person does not need to change their original name after converting to Islam, as long as the name does not contradict Islamic principles.

His marriage to Mahfuzatul opened a whole new chapter for Ta, who is celebrating Raya this year in her hometown of Ipoh.

Ta notes that there is no compulsion in Islam to change one’s original name, as long as it does not contradict Islamic principles.

On the morning of Syawal, he donned a complete Malay traditional outfit with a sampin and performed the Aidilfitri prayer with his family before enjoying chicken and beef rendang, lovingly prepared by his mother-in-law.

His wife has also learnt to appreciate his cultural practices, such as decorating the house with lanterns during Chinese New Year, and enjoying mandarins whenever they visit his family in Muar, Johor.

“Our marriage teaches us to understand each other, not just in terms of accepting one another but also each other’s families,” Ta said.

He and Mahfuzatul also actively spend time with other interracial couples, sharing meals that feature dishes from each other’s respective backgrounds.

“The main purpose is not just to enjoy the food but to experience the true meaning of unity,” he concluded. - FMT