Perak’s Chinese mosque, Masjid Muhammadiah, a symbol of Malaysia’s diversity

Free Malaysia Today

Celebrating Chinese New Year every year since 2013, Ipoh’s Masjid Muhammadiah, has become a unifying force across cultures and religions.  Written & presented by: Theevya Ragu Shot by: Fauzi Yunus Edited by: Nirmalan Mohan  Read More: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/02/10/peraks-chinese-mosque-a-vibrant-symbol-of-malaysias-diversity/  Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com Follow FMT on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Rn6xEV Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM Follow FMT on Twitter: http://bit.ly/2OCwH8a  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2OKJbc6 Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3cpbWKK Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/2VUfOrv Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/3B1e8lN Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/39dBDbe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Download FMT News App: Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46 App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP  #FMTLifestyle #CNY2024 #MasjidMuhammadiah #ChineseMuslim #Mosque

Transcript

00:00 [Music]

00:09 At first glance, one might assume this is a Buddhist temple,

00:12 but believe it or not, this is Ipoh's one and only Chinese mosque.

00:16 Welcome to Masjid Muhammadiyah.

00:19 [Music]

00:30 Instantly turning heads, this majestic mosque in Taman Tasit Jaya

00:35 is a symbol of the country's rich diversity.

00:38 Built in 2013, Masjid Muhammadiyah is thought to be Malaysia's first mosque

00:43 featuring 100% Chinese architectural elements in its design.

00:48 [Music]

00:53 The idea of building such a mosque was proposed by the Malaysian-Chinese Muslim Association, Ipoh,

00:59 led by Dr. Fazli Chia, a neurosurgeon by profession.

01:03 When I came to Ipoh, we found that there's another calling from Allah.

01:11 We have to do something for the Chinese Muslims in this state.

01:16 At that time, although I'm the only neurosurgeon in the whole state,

01:22 at that time in 1990, despite so many heavy work and duties,

01:28 I feel that there's a calling for me to contribute to the Chinese Muslim community in this state.

01:36 [Music]

01:42 The country's second Chinese mosque after Klantan,

01:46 Fazli explained that each element of Masjid Muhammadiyah's design,

01:50 the imported green roof from China,

01:53 [Music]

01:55 the red pillars inscribed with Chinese characters,

01:59 [Music]

02:01 weeping willows,

02:03 [Music]

02:04 bamboo and fishpond, to name a few,

02:07 reflects the essence of Chinese culture.

02:10 Beyond its architecture, the mosque also cultivates harmony among all races

02:15 with annual cultural celebrations like Chinese New Year.

02:19 [Music]

02:25 The Chinese New Year, in fact, we invite everybody.

02:30 Fazli shared that each year, Masjid Muhammadiyah witnesses a significant turnout

02:35 of Malays, Chinese Muslims, and even non-Muslim Chinese neighbors

02:39 who come to participate in the celebrations.

02:43 From cooking traditional Chinese dishes together to enjoying the lion dance,

02:48 it's an opportunity to strengthen social ties within the community.

02:52 In fact, non-Muslims are also invited to break fast with them during the holy month of Ramadan.

02:58 [Music]

03:02 The main function of this mosque, actually, of course,

03:06 we have sent out the message that when you embrace Islam,

03:11 that's what I mean, we are not becoming a Malay.

03:15 That's an old concept.

03:17 So even you are Chinese, when you embrace Islam,

03:21 you still can retain your culture and your values and then your heritage

03:30 as long as it doesn't infringe or clash with our Islamic values.

03:36 [Music]

03:38 In fact, despite this being a Chinese mosque, Masjid Muhammadiyah serves as a house of worship

03:44 for Muslims of all cultures, including Malays and foreigners.

03:48 Fazli, who converted to Islam to marry his Muslim wife,

03:53 stresses that the Lunar New Year will always hold a special place in his heart.

03:58 The Chinese New Year is a year for reunion.

04:05 I mean, reunion is a get-together.

04:08 So it's not the mess.

04:11 I would say that the get-togetherness is not just for family members.

04:15 In this country, I think all of us, all of us in respect,

04:20 with due respect to different religions, different backgrounds, different cultural backgrounds,

04:29 so we should get together.

04:32 So we come together as Malaysians.

04:36 I think this Chinese New Year,

04:39 and we hope the Dragon Year will be another good year for every one of us.

04:44 So wishing all the Chinese, Chinese Muslims, and everyone a very happy Chinese New Year.

04:54 [Speaking in Chinese]

04:57 [Music]

05:08 Tibia Ragu, FMT Lifestyle.

05:10 [Music]

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Transcript

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