KOTA KINABALU: Abdul Rahim Fung, 47, is a Chinese Muslim who celebrates Hari Raya like any other Malays. But he also feels the importance of preserving Chinese cultures and traditions.
Fung’s family is a multicultural one. He himself is a Shandong descendant, who lives with his wife, Noorliza Husin, 38, a Tidung, father Abdul Rahman Hung, 85, mother Sailin Logithad, 83, a Kadazandusun, and seven children in Kepayan.
He has four sons and three daughters, between four and 18 years old.
Fung’s grandparents were both Muslims, who migrated here from Tianjing Hebei Province in China in the 1940s. His grandparents have six sons and three daughters.
Fung’s father is the fourth eldest among the siblings.
Despite being a Chinese Muslim, Fung said his family has always adhered to the teachings of Islam.
During the fasting month, the family gets up at 3am to have their meal. Their meal consists of usual dishes such as fish and meat.
Their breaking of fast meal will be lighter such as fried mee, biscuits, or kuih muih (cakes).
“We eat softer food because you can’t eat too much when you break fast.”
Fung plans to hold an open house on the third day of Raya and his guests would include relatives and friends from the Chinese, Malay, Indian and even Bajau races.
“We have many Bajau relatives in Putatan because my grandmother’s brother married a Bajau,” he explained.
The family is also preparing biscuits and kuih muih to serve guests.
“Apart from making the biscuits, we ordered some, and my wife’s sister also delivered some from Tawau because she is a supplier.”
What makes his family special is that they not only celebrate Hari Raya, but also Chinese New Year as they see the festival as an important part of their culture.
This definitely is good news for his seven children who buy new outfits twice a year.
To Fung, everyone has the right to practise his or her own tradition and culture as long as he or she does not violate religious teachings.
“Some people don’t think like that, but we think that we should be too extreme or persistent in one thing.
“The most important thing is that we understand what we do is not against our religion.”
Like any other Muslims, Fung does his prayers and only eats Halal food.
The family planned to go shopping for new outfits in the next two days.
“The children have asked when we will go to buy new outfits.
“We won’t buy a lot, maybe just one or two outfits because they get to buy again during Chinese New Year,” Fung pointed out.
His daughter, Maslinda Fung Siaw Ling, 16, said Hari Raya was a happy celebration to her as she could visit other houses and taste a lot of food.
“Chinese New Year is even better because I can get ang pows and watch lion dance,” she said jokingly.
For seven-year-old Masdaniella Fung Siaw Xuan, she is excited with the upcoming Hari Raya because she can play fireworks.
source: borneo post
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