SANDAKAN – Shirleyney Mazaya, 34, a mother to two boys, has been a Muslim for four years after having converted from Christianity.
She is now busy planning a Christmas holiday with her family, as she does not want her sons to miss the celebrations with their grandmother this year.
“It is what we do every year. We will go back from Tawau to my hometown in Kudat, in time for my sons to enjoy Christmas with my mother. My elder son, who is now almost four years old, gets very excited when he sees the Christmas tree lights lit up.
“Everything I do now during Christmas is still the same – we would still put up the tree and have a family dinner on Christmas Eve. But the difference is I will not be joining my mother and siblings at church on Christmas morning,” she said.
Shirleyney’s story is similar to other converts in Sabah. Many who have converted to Islam are still celebrating Christmas. Not because they are not “true” Muslims – they see Christmas as a time to celebrate with their family.
Sandalena Lok, 24, who had converted to Islam in February this year will be celebrating Christmas as a Muslim for the first time.
She said that her husband was supportive of the idea of celebrating Christmas together with her family. He felt there is no reason to stop her from practising a lifelong tradition.
“Christmas to me is a celebration; it celebrates family bonds and friendships.
“In the future when I have kids, if they ask for a Christmas tree, I will not hesitate to have one at home. Because for me, a tree only means ‘family’, and it is also for decoration,” she said.
Christmas can mean different things for different people. For the non-Muslim, it could be taking photos with giant Christmas trees at the mall. Or it is shopping, during Christmas sales with festive music playing in the background.
But, for the converts, the meaning of Christmas may have changed from being about the day the Christ was born. It is now centred on appreciating their relationships with their family.
Wendy Aaliyah Chong, 34, a teacher, converted to Islam eight years ago. She posts photos of her children decorating the Christmas tree and does not care for what people have to say.
“I do not know if people are going to judge, since there have been people saying that it is 'haram' for a Muslim to be wishing 'Merry Christmas' to other people. But I am not afraid to be judged, as I know what I am doing (gathering with my family during Christmas) is not 'haram' at all."
She said that her three children are now excited to decorate the Christmas tree at their grandmother’s house.
“Even though I am a Muslim now, my mother and my siblings are Christians. I do not see anything wrong with us to also be a part of the celebration.
“Every year when we decorate the house and tree, I would tell my kids that we are doing this as a tradition. And that 'popo' (grandmother in Hakka) celebrates Christmas.
“I would get Christmas presents for my kids, too,” she said.
For radio presenter Amy Dangin, in Kota Kinabalu, Christmas is a time to reflect and review the quality of our relationships. She has been a Muslim for four years.
The idea of Christmas for her three kids are influenced by Western movies that they see on the television.
“We actually do not need to have a plastic Christmas tree in our home, this is all influenced by western culture. But, I still do it to keep the kids happy.”
She said her Muslim husband was never against the idea. They had even put up a “wall Christmas tree” and decorated it with their family photos together.
Mariah Doksil, a newspaper reporter in Kota Kinabalu, said she would never miss taking her family to Pitas. Her three children would decorate the Christmas tree and enjoy the festivities together.
“Decorating the tree can be a fun activity that you do once a year. I don’t think embracing a new religion means I have to lose priceless moments with my family,” she said. – The Vibes, December 25, 2020
