When Mohammad Azlan Charles Abdullah embraced Islam in 1991, none of his family members stopped him.
In fact, his decision was well-received by his mother, late father and grandmother who were then hoping that the differences in religion and belief between them would not affect their family ties.
Born into a Sino-Iban family as Sebastine Minggat Charles, the 46-year-old Public Relations officer of the Putrajaya Hospital has never once forgotten the words of his family.
Mohammad Azlan would return to his hometown here with his wife and three children every year to gather with other family members for the much anticipated Christmas celebration.
"I'm such a lucky person. I get to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with my in laws in Klang, Selangor every year, and get to meet my mother, siblings and other relatives in Kuching during Christmas.
"It's a norm for us to come home for Christmas here in Kuching as I used to serve as a Limbang Division Information officer for four years before this," he told Bernama here recently.
The Yuletide joy was felt when more than 15 family members gathered at Mohammad Azlan's family home in Jalan Arang Off Jalan Dogan here.
In fact, they cleaned the house, decorated the Christmas tree and prepared sumptuous meals together for the guests who would 'ngabang' (visit) on Christmas day, today.
Mohammad Azlan said he continues with the tradition of exchanging gifts which would be opened on Boxing Day.
"It is indeed fun to come home once a year and gather with the whole family. To me, that's the joy of Christmas celebration in addition to the presence of old friends whom I have not met for a long time," he said.
When asked about his wife and children's acceptance, Mohammad Azlan said he considered himself very lucky as his family supported his decision and joined him to enliven the festivity.
"I have instilled tolerance in my family a long time ago, just like in Sarawak where mixed-marriage has been a norm. The children can mix (with others) without prejudice but at the same time, they know what is 'halal and haram' (allowed and forbidden according to Islam)," he said.
In fact, Mohammad Azlan said one of his nephews had also embraced Islam, adding the diversity in the family makes their family ties stronger. -- Bernama
Bernama
Sat Dec 24 2016
![Religious differences not an obstacle to gather, celebrate Christmas with family Religious differences not an obstacle to gather, celebrate Christmas with family](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/61482591560_MohammadAzlanCharl.jpg)
Mohammad Azlan would return to his hometown here with his wife and three children every year to gather with other family members for the much anticipated Christmas celebration. -Bernamapix
E-invois dibimbangi tekan pengusaha PKS
Isu yang timbul ialah pengetahuan dan kos tinggi yang diperlukan untuk melaksanakannya, termasuk kos latihan dan penambahbaikan sistem dan perisian.
Tawaran pengambilalihan MAHB dimuktamad suku ketiga 2024 - MOF
Tawaran pengambilalihan Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) dijangka akan dimuktamadkan pada suku ketiga tahun ini dan ia perlu dipersetujui oleh sekurang-kurangnya 90 peratus pemegang saham sedia ada MAHB.
Kementerian Kewangan berkata memandangkan tawaran itu merupakan satu urusan transaksi komersial, maka ia tidak mendatangkan sebarang implikasi kewangan kepada kerajaan.
Kementerian Kewangan berkata memandangkan tawaran itu merupakan satu urusan transaksi komersial, maka ia tidak mendatangkan sebarang implikasi kewangan kepada kerajaan.
![Masa depan industri perhubungan awam di Malaysia: Memperkukuh kepercayaan dan keterlibatan melalui integriti dan inovasi Masa depan industri perhubungan awam di Malaysia: Memperkukuh kepercayaan dan keterlibatan melalui integriti dan inovasi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721096314_MohdSaidBaniCM.jpg)
Masa depan industri perhubungan awam di Malaysia: Memperkukuh kepercayaan dan keterlibatan melalui integriti dan inovasi
Dengan sokongan tiga pertubuhan utama, ekosistem ini hadapi cabaran signifikan, namun berpotensi besar untuk berkembang dan berinovasi.
Jiwa SME: Kejayaan lebih 30 tahun dalam industri penternakan kambing
Osman Goat Farm, yang dimiliki oleh Osman Cheya Kutty dari Johor Bahru, telah bertahan lebih dari tiga dekad dalam industri penternakan. Dengan dedikasi dan inovasi, Osman Goat Farm telah membuktikan bahawa kesungguhan dan strategi yang tepat adalah kunci kejayaan dalam industri penternakan. Produk berkualiti tinggi dan teknologi terkini terus menjadi asas kepada kejayaan.
![Man United tewas kelab kerdil, Ten Hag 'naik angin' Man United tewas kelab kerdil, Ten Hag 'naik angin'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721094442_ManchesterUnited.jpg)
Man United tewas kelab kerdil, Ten Hag 'naik angin'
Perlawanan itu seri tanpa jaringan menuju ke masa kecederaan sebelum Noah Holm menemui jaringan dengan berbaki beberapa saat.
![UMNO Selangor ambil alih proses pemilihan sayap wanita Tanjong Karang UMNO Selangor ambil alih proses pemilihan sayap wanita Tanjong Karang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721096305_prosespemilihansay.jpg)
UMNO Selangor ambil alih proses pemilihan sayap wanita Tanjong Karang
Sulaiman berkata, pemilihan yang diadakan pada 27 Julai ini diharap berjalan lancar dan dalam keadaan terkawal.
![PRK Nenggiri: Ketua Pemuda UMNO Kelantan dinamakan sebagai calon? PRK Nenggiri: Ketua Pemuda UMNO Kelantan dinamakan sebagai calon?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721096218_KetuaPemudaUMNOKe.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Ketua Pemuda UMNO Kelantan dinamakan sebagai calon?
Menurut sumber, pemilihan Mohd Azmawi sudah mendapat restu UMNO Bahagian Gua Musang.
![Shaqiri umum bersara daripada bola sepak antarabangsa Shaqiri umum bersara daripada bola sepak antarabangsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721095061_XherdanShaqiri.jpg)
Shaqiri umum bersara daripada bola sepak antarabangsa
Shaqiri bermain hanya dua kali pada kejohanan Euro 2024 di Jerman, beraksi selama 71 minit untuk Switzerland.
![Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721093818_JoeBiden.jpg)
Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama
Kenyataan Obama mengundang kecaman warganet terutamanya istilah 'keganasan politik' yang dikatakan menunjukkan sisi hipokrasi Washington.
![Guna EV di Felda, ladang Guna EV di Felda, ladang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721091183_GunaEVdiFeldala.jpg)
Guna EV di Felda, ladang
EV itu dijangka digunakan di Felda pada hujung tahun ini secara berperingkat bagi menggantikan kenderaan sedia ada.