ID :
154549
Thu, 12/23/2010 - 15:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/154549
The shortlink copeid
IKRAM LOH`S DEEP DEVOTION FOR ISLAM
By Nurrul Huda Ahmad Lutfi
JITRA (Kedah, Malaysia), Dec 23 (Bernama) -- He likes to read and observe.
Through both he fell in love with Islam.
Mohd Ikram Loh Abdullah whose original name was Loh Kim Hua started reading
books written by Ismail Kamus and in between attended the energetic talks
delivered by Harun Din.
Both were his idols in learning about Islam and in answering his queries.
Mohd Ikram, 52, a teacher at High School here here converted to Islam in his
30s but Islam was close to his heart right from his teenage years.
"I converted to Islam not due to the influence of my colleagues. My urge to
become a Muslim came from within," said the third of the six siblings.
Right from the secondary school this former Buddhist adherent loved to read
books on Islam and while in University Malaya he specialised in Malay studies.
IMPRESSED WITH ISLAMIC WAYS
"One more thing, I like to observe and thus have been impressed with the way
Muslims pray. The congregational prayer and the call for prayer (azan) brought
me inner peace and confidence in Islam," said Mohd Ikram when met after
receiving the "Tokoh Saudara Kita," an award in conjunction with the state level
Maal Hijrah 1432 celebration in Kedah recently.
"Even before converting, I was already following an Islamic way of life like
fasting two to six hours daily, learnt about the prayers by reading and watching
VCDs," he said.
Mohd Ikram's family is no strangers to Islam as his elder sister was the
first one to convert to Islam in the 1980s.
ACCEPTABLE TO THE FAMILY
On why he did not convert to Islam during his teenage years, he replied this
was because he did not want to hurt his mother's feelings.
Mohd Ikram officially converted to Islam quietly in March 1993.
"At that time I was prepared. I was already working and was independent, and
free to decide on my destiny," he said with a great sense of satisfaction.
Even then he was not prepared to reveal his new status as a Muslim to close
friends and family members fearing they would shun him.
"But one day an old friend saw me returning home from a mosque and soon the
word spread that I have converted to Islam," he said.
MARRIAGE
However, his family only got to know that he is a Muslim when he made known
his intention to marry a Muslim woman.
Initially he was cold shouldered but it was only a matter of time before the
family accepted the fact, he said.
"My mother Tan Ah Soo is 69 years old and she still sees me as her son and
I'm closer to my siblings now.
"During each Chinese New Year I will return home to celebrate with my
family," said Mohd Ikram.
ACTIVE IN SOCIETIES
His wife Tom Pah Chom Sharif Taha, 42, and the in-laws played a big role in
strengthening his faith.
"My in-laws have helped me to overcome many of the stumbling blocks
including in matters relating to Islam. I'm happy that they accepted me as what
I am," he said.
Mohd Ikram is also active in the Islamic non-governmental organisation
(NGO) Islam and he is now the Secretary for the Kedah/Perlis (states) Chinese
Muslim Association.
The association is responsible for the affairs of the new converts around
Kedah and Perlis, and so far has 48 members.
"Our association caters for the Chinese who have converted to Islam, but
others Muslim converts in need of assistance can consult us as well," he said.
The association will work to guide and assist new converts in leading a life
based on Islamic teachings.
"In reality there are some converts who revert to their original religion as
they have nobody to depend on and to guide them in religious matters.
"There are also converts who still continue with their old ways like
consuming alcohol and non-halal food," said Mohd Ikram who is also a committee
member for the Kedah Malaysia Islamic Dakwah Foundation (Yadim)
As Mohd Ikram is familiar with the woes and challenges faced by new converts
he advised them to be patient and put their faith in Allah.
"We have to be sincere in what ever we do and should do it whole heartedly,"
added Mohd Ikram.
-- BERNAMA
JITRA (Kedah, Malaysia), Dec 23 (Bernama) -- He likes to read and observe.
Through both he fell in love with Islam.
Mohd Ikram Loh Abdullah whose original name was Loh Kim Hua started reading
books written by Ismail Kamus and in between attended the energetic talks
delivered by Harun Din.
Both were his idols in learning about Islam and in answering his queries.
Mohd Ikram, 52, a teacher at High School here here converted to Islam in his
30s but Islam was close to his heart right from his teenage years.
"I converted to Islam not due to the influence of my colleagues. My urge to
become a Muslim came from within," said the third of the six siblings.
Right from the secondary school this former Buddhist adherent loved to read
books on Islam and while in University Malaya he specialised in Malay studies.
IMPRESSED WITH ISLAMIC WAYS
"One more thing, I like to observe and thus have been impressed with the way
Muslims pray. The congregational prayer and the call for prayer (azan) brought
me inner peace and confidence in Islam," said Mohd Ikram when met after
receiving the "Tokoh Saudara Kita," an award in conjunction with the state level
Maal Hijrah 1432 celebration in Kedah recently.
"Even before converting, I was already following an Islamic way of life like
fasting two to six hours daily, learnt about the prayers by reading and watching
VCDs," he said.
Mohd Ikram's family is no strangers to Islam as his elder sister was the
first one to convert to Islam in the 1980s.
ACCEPTABLE TO THE FAMILY
On why he did not convert to Islam during his teenage years, he replied this
was because he did not want to hurt his mother's feelings.
Mohd Ikram officially converted to Islam quietly in March 1993.
"At that time I was prepared. I was already working and was independent, and
free to decide on my destiny," he said with a great sense of satisfaction.
Even then he was not prepared to reveal his new status as a Muslim to close
friends and family members fearing they would shun him.
"But one day an old friend saw me returning home from a mosque and soon the
word spread that I have converted to Islam," he said.
MARRIAGE
However, his family only got to know that he is a Muslim when he made known
his intention to marry a Muslim woman.
Initially he was cold shouldered but it was only a matter of time before the
family accepted the fact, he said.
"My mother Tan Ah Soo is 69 years old and she still sees me as her son and
I'm closer to my siblings now.
"During each Chinese New Year I will return home to celebrate with my
family," said Mohd Ikram.
ACTIVE IN SOCIETIES
His wife Tom Pah Chom Sharif Taha, 42, and the in-laws played a big role in
strengthening his faith.
"My in-laws have helped me to overcome many of the stumbling blocks
including in matters relating to Islam. I'm happy that they accepted me as what
I am," he said.
Mohd Ikram is also active in the Islamic non-governmental organisation
(NGO) Islam and he is now the Secretary for the Kedah/Perlis (states) Chinese
Muslim Association.
The association is responsible for the affairs of the new converts around
Kedah and Perlis, and so far has 48 members.
"Our association caters for the Chinese who have converted to Islam, but
others Muslim converts in need of assistance can consult us as well," he said.
The association will work to guide and assist new converts in leading a life
based on Islamic teachings.
"In reality there are some converts who revert to their original religion as
they have nobody to depend on and to guide them in religious matters.
"There are also converts who still continue with their old ways like
consuming alcohol and non-halal food," said Mohd Ikram who is also a committee
member for the Kedah Malaysia Islamic Dakwah Foundation (Yadim)
As Mohd Ikram is familiar with the woes and challenges faced by new converts
he advised them to be patient and put their faith in Allah.
"We have to be sincere in what ever we do and should do it whole heartedly,"
added Mohd Ikram.
-- BERNAMA
