Editor’s Note: This is the second article in our quest to clear misperception of Muslim converts while better comprehending their mission in life. Click here for the first article that we published yesterday (March 18) – “Straight talk: Firdaus Wong answers query if it’s true ‘Cina murtad’ (Chinese apostate) sucks up to the Malays”
CLAIMING that he is “more Chinese” than what many detractors thought of him, renowned Muslim convert preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung has nevertheless brushed aside the constant reminder that “your ancestors are a Buddhist, a Taoist or a Confucian”.
The Multiracial Reverted Muslims (MRM) president described as both “a fallacy” and one major problem that he encountered even before becoming a Muslim where people would remind him of the origin of his ancestors.
“But then, why stop at Buddhism and Taoism because when you look into the fact that Buddhism and Taoism haver existed for 2,000 plus years while the Chinese are always proud that they have 5,000 years of civilisation,” explained Firdaus in a recent Facebook post to a question posed by netizen Mervyn.
“So, before my ancestors professed or embraced the religion of Taoism and Buddhism, what religion did they profess? Why stop only there?
“As a Muslim, I believe that I was born as a Chinese with the will of God but since you talk about ancestors, I also believe that my ancestor is Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and that Prophet Adam is a Muslim”.
Firdaus, 41, who converted to Islam on Aug 10, 2005 further chided Mervyn who reminded him of his Chinese origin that he has never claimed that” I’m a Malay”.
“Why do you say that I’m a Malay? Those words are coming out from you for I never say and I never claim that I’m a Malay,” Firdaus defended himself. “I’m a Chinese … I can speak Chinese, too. Can you speak Chinese? If you want, we can speak in Cantonese.
“I’m still a Chinese and I can’t change how Chinese I’m … you can bring me out of Jinjang (Firdaus’ birthplace) but you cannot bring Jinjang out of me … since I was born and raised up in Jinjang, probably I’m more Chinese than you.”
To further resolve the confusion, Firdaus went in to invite Mervyn “to come out for a cup of tea” or that he can meet him (Firdaus) in Bukit Bintang every Sunday from 2pm to 6pm (during the MRM dakwah/preaching session).
“We can see (each other) and we can talk and discuss over there in Mandarin, Cantonese, a bit of Hokkien and maybe Hakka,” he quipped.
On the subject of “it’s not good to compare and condemn other religion”, Firdaus countered if it would be considered as a form condemnation if “I merely stated the fact as per what is stated in the books?”
“Show me where do I condemn … if you think that the evidence that I’ve brought forward is not true and you’ve something better which is not based on your emotions, then feel free to refute me with evidence and fact because Islam teaches me to always ‘bring forward your proof’ so as to be truthful.
“I don’t speak from my own whims and desires; I don’t make assumptions but I just speak based on fact and evidence that are found in the books and in the scriptures. How about you, Mervyn? Looking forward to your reply.” – March 19, 2024
