Immersion Project # Chinese Muslim Restaurant

During night, we're going to Hh. Sharin Low Restaurant at Sri Gombak for doing our immersion project. We choose  here   because surely we will find many information about culture there especially regarding food. Our goal is to know more about other Malaysian culture such as Chinese Muslim culture.

i had spent time to interview the workers there. They said this restaurant really famous and many people like the food serve here. the taste is really same like the original China. We also had great time there to feel the taste of the food as you can see above. One thing we realized that the food is good for health not to oily and less fat. So ho want to preserve the healthy can come here

the restaurant is open start from 11.00 a.m to 11.00 p.m

The lost Muslims from China

WE ALL know of various Chinese communities that have lived in Malaysia. But how many have heard of the Hui – a Muslim culture from China which was one of the earliest Chinese to migrate to Southeast Asia?
Until a few years back, remnants of the community still lived in a jetty in Jelutong, Penang. Called the Koay Jetty, it was
the only remaining settlement of the Chinese Muslim race in Peninsular Malaysia, which had exerted some degree of influence in the region since 700 years ago.
Today, at the very site where the jetty – which was controversially demolished and its residents evicted – once existed stands a mammoth multi-storey block of flats in front of a noisy expressway that has since also sprung up there.
For those who still remember the rather idyllic wooden jetty, the gigantic concrete block that lies in its place must lend a strange feeling of disparateness, presenting itself with jarring contrast to the memory of the area as it was before.
The jetty got its name from one of the Hui’s biggest seafaring clans called the Koay. Many of them were merchants or coolies when they came to Penang in the late 19th century. They shared the same language and social traits as most other Chinese immigrants from Fujian province. The only difference was their religion.
I met some of the Hui residents before the jetty was bulldozed. Among them was former charcoal dealer Koay Ah Bee, in his seventies. He still observed customs such as death ceremonies peculiar to the Hui, though he readily admitted many youngsters in the present generation did not know why the rituals were followed. Some solemn observances however were complied with during ceremonial occasions; these included strict consumption of halal food.
Interestingly enough, the great Ming dynasty admiral Zheng He, also known by his Muslim name Ma Ho, was a Hui, and his support was crucial to the stability of the Malacca sultanate.
According to research by local historian Dr Ong Seng Huat, the Hui people were instrumental in helping to sustain the Malacca sultanate and empire in the 15th century. Ong’s studies have shown that Zheng He brought along many influential Muslims to Malacca. These included religious teachers from Siam and China, an imam named Hassan from the mosque in Xian, as well as an Indian Muslim named Sha Ban who lived in China.
Very notably, one of Zheng He’s secretaries, Koay Chong Li, originated from the same area – Baiqi village in Fujian province – that Penang’s Koay clan traces its roots. Besides Malacca, the Hui built numerous other settlements in the region. Until the Second World War, there was a sizeable settlement in Singapore, and a few in Pangkor island and Sitiawan.
Understandably, many of the rituals and customs of the Hui have been lost. The people themselves have gradually over generations forgotten their original identity, and some have assimilated into Malay society. Others have been similarly absorbed into mainstream Chinese culture. There are Hui people are also known to have settled in Sabah, merging with other communities there.
“Many Malaysian Chinese,” Ong told me, “do not even know that they are Hui.” But those at the Koay jetty were somewhat different – they could trace their genealogy back to about 17 to 22 generations.
About 40 years ago, Ibrahim T.Y. Ma, a prominent Chinese Muslim leader, lobbied hard to then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman for an end to government intentions to demolish the seemingly irrelevant urban jetty. He succeeded and plans to tear down the wooden Koay Jetty were halted.
Authorities in more recent times however were not so sympathetic towards the plea of heritage and community, causing the settlement to be destroyed for a high-density development project.
The removal of the jetty signified a sad disappearance of a unique portion of our history. But the lost community of the Hui can still be remembered as one of the little-known sub-cultures that have over the centuries contributed to the great social potpourri of our country to what it is today.

Immersion Project # National Museum & Orang Asli Craft Museum

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Today, we're going to National Museum for doing our immersion project. We choose National museum  because surely we will find many information about culture there. Our goal is to know more about other Malaysian culture such as Baba Nyonya, Riau and many more.

At there also, we met our new friend. She came from Philippines. We have interview her about her culture and country. She said that the estimated population of about 94 million people, the Philippines is the world 's 12th famous country. An additional 12.5 million Fillipinos live overseas.  Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the islands. In prehistoric times, Negritos were some of the archipelago's earliest inhabitants. They were followed by successive waves of Austronesian peoples who brought with them influences from Malay, Hindu, and Islam societies. Trade introduced Chinese cultural influences which remain to this day.

Additional information is she live in Manila, the capital city of Phillipines. She says that Manila is busier capital. We need to travel for 2-3 hours to go to beach and seeing the beautiful nature and panorama.

Immersion Project # Kadazan Dusun

Assalamualaikum & hai,

I love to story about one of ethnic in Sabah. It is Kadazan- Dusun. As we know, kadazan dusun is the majority people in Land below the wind. Kadazan-Dusun (also written as Kadazandusun) is the term assigned to the unification of the classification of two indigenous tribes in Sabah, Malaysia—the ethnic groups Kadazan and Dusun.

Hence, i have interviewed one of my friend. She is Kadazan dusun girl. She story me about the traditional festive that the compulsory celebrate every year.  Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival is a unique celebration of Kadazandusun society. It's a celebration to honour the Rice Spirit - Bambaazon or Bambarayon and giving thanks for yet another beautiful year. The festival begins on the first of May at many district levels. The rites and customs of the Pesta Kaamatan is a tribal practice of Kadazandusun and also Murut peoples. The Bobohizan or Bobolian who are the High Priests or Priestesses (depending on the district/area undertaking the preservation) will conduct the ritual. In different districts, the priests or priestesses may be addressed to differently, for instance in Tambunan district they are known as Bobolian, in Tuaran as Tantagas and in Penampang as Bobohizan.

It is believed that rice in whatever form embodies Bambaazon that must be protected from harm. The homecoming of Babaazon is an integral part of the Harvest Festival. Ancient folklore tells of the ultimate deed of Kinoingan or Minamagun - The Almighty God or Creator, who sacrificed his only beloved daughter, Huminodun so that his people would have food. Various parts of her body were planted from which plants grew. During the Magavau ceremony, the Bobohizan will select some stalks of rice that are left undistributed until the harvest is over. In some districts, the chosen stalks are cut before the field is harvested and are then brought into the owner's house. The task of Bobohizan is to search and salvage the lost Bambaazon who are hurt or separated from the main mystical body. In the old days, this ceremony was often performed in freshly harvested fields during the first full moon after the harvest to invoke the rice spirit.

The language used by Bobohizan is archaic whose meanings have been buried in time and known only to the few remaining Bobohizan these days. The vital aspect of Magavau is the paraphernalia used to summon Bambaazon. The sacrament of Magavau may vary according to district practices but the ceremony always ends with food offerings to Bambaazon and merry making for the village folks.

The highlight of Pesta Kaamatan is the selection of the pageant queen or "Unduk Ngadau" which can be literally translated as "Zenith of the Sun". It conceptually derives from the sacrifice of Huminodun. The maiden who has the honour of being selected should bear semblance to Huminodun and will represent all that is virtuous in the revered Huminodun.

This is Tarian Sumazau.  

The oldest inhabitants in Malaysia.

Assalamulaikum & hai,

Do you know that the oldest inhabitants of Malaysia are its tribal peoples?

http://www.pahang-delights.com/citrawarna.html

Total population of them is 5 percent. In Sabah, they are categorized as their individual tribes. Furthermore, mot tribes fall under the term Kadazan . In Sarawak, the dominant tribal groups are Dayak, Iban and Bidayuh. While, in Peninsular Malaysia, they are called as "orang asli". 

As we know, their relationship with environment / rain forest is very tight and strong. 

Chinese Muslim food.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

According to plan, we supposedly make eating trip to restaurant Chinese Muslim. But, due some problems, we cannot make it. Maybe we will go there someday. Hence, i proudly want to show you some of famous tasty Chinese Muslim's  foods.

http://www.foodstreet.com.my/food-street/bpage.s?by=Chinese+Muslim+Food+Paradise&bid=158

Fuhh, feel tempting right? Just cant wait to go eating there. Lets go together :D

Challenges as Muslim Chinese.

Assalamualaikum &hai,

The first problem is that, the number of converts to Islam among the Chinese, although increasing, is hardly a satisfying number. Secondly, those who do convert are often subjugated to all sorts of prejudice among the majority Malay Muslims (not all of them of course), especially when they tend to remain hold to their chinese culture. Many Malays Muslim religious officers would not hesitate to push the Chinese to change their Chinese name and adopt a more Arab or Malay sounding name. In most cases, the Chinese gets a new extension name at the back of his new name, "bin Abdullah". For example, from Tan Lon Yeng, it becomes Musa Tan bin Abdullah.

Thirdly, the majority Malay population often sees (although more pertinent in the past than nowadays) the converted Chinese as somehow rather now a part of the Malay society, rather than a Muslim society. Chinese culture are deemed mostly un-Islamic and the new Muslim now should be more Malay to show that he's a good Muslim. This belief is so ingrained in some parts of the Malay world, that whenever a Chinese converts into Islam, he is said to have "converted into a Malay". This misconception, ultimately draws negative views from the non-Muslim Chinese regarding Islam, and many reject Islam, simply because they love their Chinese identity too much.

In reality, Islam does not rob someone of their cultural identity and replaces it totally with a foreign and new one. Islam as a complete way of life, allows and permits the cultural clothings, foods, dances etc. of any particular group of race as long as it does not contradict its teachings. Therefore, Islam does not erase the Malay cultural dress of Baju Melayu and Baju Kebaya, the various Malay dishes and other cultural activites. What should be observed is that these cultural identities does not contradict with the tenets of the religion.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) respected the protocols of other groups of nations, as long as it does not contradict Islam itself. From a hadith as narated by Anas bin Malik (God be pleased with him), it is stated that:

"When the Prophet pbuh wanted to write a letter to Rom, and it was told to him that they (the Romans) do not read letters without a seal (stamp), he (the Prophet) made a seal from silver. (Anas said): I can still see the whiteness of the seal on the hands of the Prophet, written Muhammad Rasulullah (Muhammad Prophet of God) " (narrated from Bukhari and Muslim)

This hadith shows that the norms or practice of a particular group of people was celebrated by the Prophet, as was stated, as long as it does not contradict Islam.The Prophet did not reject it outright or detest the practice, whereas if the Prophet did not even follow the practice, he would have lost nothing, instead the Roman recipient would be the losers.

Islam and the general Chinese Culture #1

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Islam is a universal way of life and it is directed to all the nations on earth without exceptions. It does not belong to any particular group of people. It does not belong to you or me, but it belongs to God alone, the creator of the heavens and earth. At first glance, it should be easy to understand, for a particular religion to be propagated and spread throughout the masses that it should adopt in some way or another to the existing culture of the people it is intended to. And this is indeed the nature of Islam.

However, in the context of my country, Malaysia, there seems to be some flaws in that implementation and understanding of it. In Malaysia there are around 60% Muslims (16 million according to the 209 Pew Research Forum Report), with the overwhelming majority belonging to the Malay people. They are considered to be one of the indigenous group of people in the country and have converted to Islam approximately five to six hundred years ago. Most of the Malays nowadays are considered Muslims with the exception of very few.

The Chinese people in this country number around six million people, and from them, around 1% are Muslims, according to unofficial statistics. This would mean they number around 70,000 people altogether.

Architecture in Malaysia.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Architecture in Malaysia is a combination of many styles, from Islamic and Chinese styles to those brought by European colonists. Malay architecture has changed due to these influences. Houses in the north are similar to those in Thailand, while those in the south are similar to those in Java. New materials, such as glass and nails, were brought in by Europeans, changing the architecture. Houses are built for tropical conditions, raised on stilts with high roofs and large windows, allowing air to flow through the house and cool it down. Wood has been the main building material for much of Malaysia's history; it is used for everything from the simple kampung to royal palaces. In Negeri Sembilan traditional houses are entirely free of nails. Besides wood, other common materials such as bamboo and leaves were used. The Istana Kenangan in Kuala Kangar was built in 1926, and it the only Malay palace with bamboo walls. The indigenous people of East Malaysia live in longhouses and water villages. Longhouses are elevated and on stilts, and can house 20 to 100 families. Water villages are also built on stilts, with houses connected with planks and most transport by boats.

Chinese architecture can be divided into two types, traditional and Baba Nyonya. Baba Nyonya households are made of colourful tiles and have large indoor courtyards. Indian architecture came with the Malaysian Indians, reflecting the architecture of southern India where most originated from. Some Sikh architecture was also imported. Malacca, which was a traditional centre of trade, has a large variety of building styles. Large wooden structures such as the Palace of Sultan Mansur Shah exist from early periods. Chinese influence can be seen in brightly decorated temples and terraced shop houses. The largest remaining Portuguese structure in Malacca is the A Famosa fort. Other colonial building include the Dutch Stadthuys, the Dutch Colonial town brick buildings, and buildings built by the British such as the Memorial Hall, which combines Baroque and Islamic architecture.

The shapes and sizes of houses differ from state to state. Common elements in Peninsular Malaysia include pitched roofs, verandahs, and high ceilings, raised on stilts for ventilation. The woodwork in the house is often intricately carved. The floors are at different levels depending on the function of the room. Mosques have traditionally been based on Javanese architecture. In modern times, the government has promoted different projects, from the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, to a whole garden city, Putrajaya. Malaysian firms are developing skyscraper designs that are specifically for tropical climates.

PART 2: CONCEPTUAL DIMENTIONS

Assalamualaikum & hai,

            Assalamualaikum…this entry is about Conceptual Dimensions. Everyone in class came a bit late today. Hehe…same goes to my friends and I. Today is soo hot so that’s why we planned to go quite late than usual. At the class, Sir mention about one scholar named Sue and Sue…for the 1^st time I heard that name..Sir continues his teaching although there are students who still came late. Based on the topic today, I can emphasize that there are Eurocentric standards and competence at the beginning of slides. So, I just took my book and pen to write down the important information while Dr. Siraje teaches.

           

I attracted to this quote that says “good counselling is simply good counselling”-regardless of who is practicing it or on whom it is applied. Furthermore, based on Multicultural view, it is said that “what is ‘good’ in one culture may not be so in another.” This quote is under competence’s slide and it is emphasize on the true meaning of counselling. Meanwhile, in Philosophical values and assumptions of mainstream counselling it is stated that people are unique and each individual is the psychosocial unit especially related to race and culture. There are also insignificant in counselling perspective. Thus, all client’s are the same such as in personality theory which people learn in the same way and also respond to stimuli at the same ways. 

Malaysian, Tanah Airku.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Culture in Malaysia draws on the variation of cultures of on the different people of Malaysia. The first people to live in the area were indigenous tribes that still remain; they were followed by the Malays, who moved there from mainland Asia in ancient times. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark when trade began with those countries, and increased with immigration to Malaysia. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of 

Malaysia include Persian, Arabic and British. The many different ethnicities that currently exist in Malaysia have their own unique and distinctive cultural identities, with some crossover.

Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighboring countries, notably Indonesia. The two countries have a similar cultural heritage, sharing many traditions and items. However, disputes have arisen over things ranging from culinary dishes to Malaysia's national anthem. Strong feelings exist in Indonesia about protecting their national heritage. 

The Malaysian and Indonesian government have met to defuse some of the tensions resulting from the overlaps in culture. Feelings are not as strong in Malaysia, where most recognize that many cultural values are shared.

Public support for the arts is meager. 

Malaysian society for the past century has been so heavily geared toward economic development that the arts have suffered, and many practitioners of Malaysia's aesthetic traditions mourn the lack of apprentices to carry them on. The possibility exists for a Malaysian arts renaissance amid the country's growing affluence. 

Who are Malaysian?

Assalamualaikum & hai,

As we know, Malaysian is one of country that have variety of races and cultures.As we know, Malaysian is one of country that has variety of races and cultures. There are three main races in Malaysia such as Malay as majority, Chinese and Indian. Besides that, there are several differences between those three races in terms of occupation, foods, traditional clothes and many more.

As for Malay, their main occupation for almost past years is farming. They are good in “bercucuk tanam”. The Malay are Malaysia's largest ethnic group, accounting for over half the population and the national language. With the oldest indigenous peoples they form a group calledbumiputera, which translates as "sons" or "princes of the soil." Almost all Malays are Muslims, though Islam here is less extreme than in the Middle East. Traditional Malay culture centers around the kampung, or village, though today one is just as likely to find Malays in the cities.  

While, the Chinese dominating the business part. They are talented in trading and also mathematics. The Chinese traded with Malaysia for centuries, then settled in number during the 19th century when word of riches in the Nanyang, or "South Seas," spread across China. Though perhaps a stereotype, the Chinese are regarded as Malaysia's businessmen, having succeeded in many industries. When they first arrived, however, Chinese often worked the most grueling jobs like tin mining and railway construction. Most Chinese are Tao Buddhist and retain strong ties to their ancestral homeland. They form about 35 percent of the population. 

Besides that, Indian is familiar works as rubber tappers. Indians had been visiting Malaysia for over 2,000 years, but did not settle en masse until the 19th century. Most came from South India, fleeing a poor economy. Arriving in Malaysia, many worked as rubber tappers, while others built the infrastructure or worked as administrators and small businessmen. Today ten percent of Malaysia is Indian. Their culture -- with its exquisite Hindu temples, cuisine, and colorful garments -- is visible throughout the land.

The colorful faces of Malaysia,

Taken from http://apanama2020.blogspot.com/2011/07/unite-speak-up-and-use-new-media.html

PART 1: CROSS CULTURAL COUNSELING IN SCHOOL

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Assalamualaikum… Hi, my name is Nor Syaheeda Bt Mohamad and this semestar is my 3^rd Year. Today, is sooo hot and I still go to Cross Cultural Counseling class. What I have learned today is about Multicultural experience. Actually, I don’t really focus in class because I feel tired and don’t get enough sleep last night because too busy finishing all my assignments. After a few slides, Dr. Siraje told some example then I slowly understand what Dr. Siraje teach. Umm…feel sorry to you sir..but what can I do???huhuhu…

            

Overall today, what I want to conclude based on my understanding is world view of culturally different among clients linked to historical and current experiences of perceived marganization, racism or oppression. Thus, counselor are supposed to help or to subscribe to professional values and standards into client during counselling session. Besides, counselling can be perceived as an instrument of oppression against the minorities.

           

Now, the class already end so I packed my things. Sorry and thanks to Sir because he can bear with his student’s behaviour in class…hehe…  :D

Cross Cultural Class #journal

Assalamualaikum & hai,

We learn about issues of  roles of school counselor :

1. Outreach
2. Liaison- connect to school and family
3. Advocate- speaking on behalf of people (community)
4. Consultant- become consultant to leader, teachers and parents
5. Change- agent.

Sir also teaches about several factors that we as counselor need to consider when counseling minority clients. Besides that, we need to practice unconditional positive regard, congruence and empathy in our counseling sessions. 

Thank you Sir :D 

Cross Cultural Class #journal

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Today, we have learnt about Malaysian community. Neither it is secular nor religious.  Is Malaysian secular or religious? What say u? :D

Sir told us that religious could be :

1. The problem
2. Part of problem
3. The solution
4. Part of solution

Counseling Implications : What to expect.

• Circuitous communication
• indirect responses to questions
• client rarely ask questions
• may remain silent
• difficulty to communicate feelings, especially if they are related to family or group
• difficulty to give or receive feedback ( status, unease with negative feedback)
• avoidance of conflict- difficult to express disagreement.

In counseling, we need to take note on the multicultural diversity. As counselor, we need to alert to the culture of our clients. Thus, it is our responsibility to learn more about other cultures.

Cross Cultural Class.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Today, our lecturer teaches us about the meaning of culture. According to Sir, culture is divide into two type. The types are hardware and software. Hardware refer to the physical and tangible. Such as, food, clothes, and instruments. While, software is refer to non physical or intangible such as beliefs, custom, values and time perspective. 

Culture is practiced by a group of people which they are having a common beliefs and values.

I already know about the meaning of culture, but it is still new knowledge for me. Thank you Sir :D

Introduction.

Assalamualaikum & hai,

Firstly, proudly i introduce my group member. Our group members are Nor Syaheeda Mohamad, Noor Saharina Saharudin and Noor Azliza Omar. 

:)

Happy reading.