MUALLIM: As a ‘muallaf’ (convert to Islam), Azmi Chai Abdullah has not only devoted himself to becoming a good Muslim, he has helped convert 200 people to Islam in the almost 40 years of his ‘dakwah’ (preaching) works.

It therefore comes as no surprise that Azmi, 55, in spite of not being born into Islam, was bestowed the Preacher Award (Anugerah Pendakwah) at Perak’s state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at Dewan Seri Tanjung, Tanjung Malim District Office, today.

The eldest of four siblings, Azmi embraced Islam in 1977 after “receiving guidance from Allah”, and said that he was lucky that his parents supported his decision to convert.

However, his decision did not go down well with all his extended family members.

”My late grandmother was against my decision, as I was her favourite grandchild then.

”She and my uncle viewed Islam as Malay, and that is the reason they objected. However, praise Allah, after some time, they began to accept me and Islam much better,” he said.

Raised Christian, Azmi participated in a Christian missionary programme in Woodlands, Singapore, when he was 15 years old. However, upon returning from the programme, he had a crisis of faith.

From that moment on, he went on a spiritual quest, and eventually found all his questions answered through Islam.

Now, Azmi, who has performed the haj twice, helps others find their place in Islam.

His preaching works include guiding ‘new Muslim brothers and sisters’ in saying their syahadah (declaration of belief in Allah as God), advising them on matters of marriage, and counselling them on how to prepare a body for burial, among others.

Most of the ‘muallaf’ he has assisted over the years have become close to him and always keep in touch.

”We have a few WhatsApp groups and I also conduct weekly classes (kuliah) for them to offer guidance and advice, as well as to try to provide financial assistance to those in need.

”It is important for them to have someone to confide in, as, in most cases, ‘muallaf’ are not welcome by their family members. It is my responsibility to be there for them, to prevent them from feeling neglected, or worse, converting back to their original religions,” he said.

Azmi, who preaches at the Ipoh District Religious Department, and is married to Haniah Osman, 52, said he will never stop his dakwah works and help convert people to Islam.

In his acceptance speech for the Preacher Award, Azmi said he was grateful to Allah for the accolade and sees it as motivation to convert more people to Islam.

He received RM3,000, a plaque and a certificate for the award.

Also honoured at the event was Mohd Shafiai Salleh, 55, who was awarded the Exemplary Family Award (Anugerah Keluarga Mithali).

The father of six children, all of whom are university graduates, said he did not expect the award, as he regarded it as his responsibility to raise and educate his brood.

”Raising children is an ongoing process, so I and my wife, Hazizah Hamzah, 59, did not expect any reward, because we want them to succeed here and in the hereafter,” he said.

Sharing his tips on parenting, Shafiai said his wife had never failed to prepare meals for their children before they went to school.

He also always reminded his children to be grateful and never be envious of others’ bounty, because Allah has blessed each of us with different and suitable rezeki (sustenance) based on our supplications, efforts and tawakkal (trust in Allah).

One of his daughters, Nurul Shahidah, said it was the norm for her parents to fast and perform solat sunat (supplementary prayer) every time she and her siblings sat for examinations at school.

”They would come to our school and spend time at the surau to recite the Quran and perform prayers while we answered the exam papers,” she said.

Nurul Shahidah said her father always referred to Islamic teachings when it came to raising his children.

For raising an exemplary family, Shafiai, who works at Kampung Gajah Farmers Organisation, took home RM5,000, a plaque, a prize and a certificate.

Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, attended the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration.

Sultan Nazrin presented the awards to the respective recipients at the event.

Also in attendance were Raja Muda Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa; Raja Puan Besar Perak, Raja Nor Mahani Raja Shahar Shah; Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and wife, Datin Seri Saripah Zulkifli; State Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan; and Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Yusop Husin.

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