Ustaz keeps Deepavali tradition alive with Hindu relatives

 

Muhamad Rafee, his wife, and three children dress up in traditional Indian attire every year to enjoy Deepavali with their Hindu extended family.

KLANG: 

On most days, Ustaz Rafee Rahman typically dons a songkok and is clad in a muted-coloured jubah while preaching at his local mosque in Klang.

But every Deepavali finds the ustaz and his family dressed in their finest Indian traditional attire, savouring a banana leaf meal of thosai with dhal and chutney with other family members who are Hindu.

Gathering for Deepavali has long been a tradition in Rafee’s family. His parents were Hindu, before they embraced Islam in the 80s. Muhamad, who was born in 1986, grew up with a family of two different faiths and never once felt out of place.

“Since I was young, I remember visiting my grandparents, aunties and uncles on Deepavali. My late grandmother and aunts would cook, and we’d all sit down, spread banana leaves, and eat together in joy.

“Afterwards, we’d play with firecrackers—it was just as festive as any other family’s celebration,” he told FMT.

This yearly tradition is one the 38-year-old and his four Muslim siblings have carried on even after their mother’s death eight years ago.

“My mother made sure that her children always maintained strong family ties. When we visit relatives, we always bring a little something, such as biscuits and greeting cards, as a gesture of love.”

For Rafee, however, Deepavali goes beyond tradition. He sees it as an important occasion to reconnect with family—a value, he says, that is rooted in Islam.

“Islam teaches us to maintain family ties and strengthen bonds. Visiting family members at Deepavali is in line with these values, allowing us to reunite and connect,” he said.

His wife, Hadibah Daut, 41, feels the same way. Since their marriage in 2012, Hadibah has embraced the experience of a new culture, finding joy in trying different Indian dishes and even making a kolam with her children and relatives.

“Getting together for Deepavali is important because we need to honour family ties and foster love within the family. It’s also a way for us to introduce our children to Ustaz’s side of the family who are not Muslim,” she said.

Ustaz and his extended family enjoying thosai with chutney and dhal.

A time of respect, love, and learning

For cousin Mohana Letchumy Gonasigran, no Deepavali celebration is complete without presence of the ustaz and his family.

She ensures prayer mats are available, and all food is halal – a consideration that extends beyond just the holiday. “In my house, we never cook anything non-halal. If we want to eat (non-halal food), we go to a restaurant, but we don’t bring it back or put it on our plates,” she told FMT.

She’s passing this mindset to her children to ensure they remain connected with their Muslim relatives, “otherwise, they might lose touch – and I want my children to know their relatives”.

Mohana hopes that this exposure will not only help her children appreciate people of diverse backgrounds but also deepen their understanding of different beliefs and practices.

“My children learn from their family and his daughters also learn from us. When my children have questions, they just ask, and my cousin and his family take the time to explain,” she said.

Visiting his extended family is a tradition Muhamad Rafee and his family will always cherish.

Rafee believes that Deepavali is a time for forgiveness and love – values that are often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world.

“During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we are taught to forgive and to overlook faults and mistakes. I feel the same way during Deepavali. Sometimes, there may be small misunderstandings with relatives, but Deepavali is an opportunity to visit and make amends with them.

“Let’s not let these moments of togetherness turn into division or conflict. It’s a chance to strengthen our bonds and let go of any hard feelings,” he said. - FMT