Inspired by Dr Farid Ravi, Tiyagu Finds the Light of Islam Through PERKIM

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ
: ᶠᴬᵀᴵᴺ ᴬᴷᴹᴬᴸ ᴬᴷˢᴬᴴ

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 DECEMBER 2025 – “It feels like being born anew… my mind is at peace.”

Those were the heartfelt words of Mohamad Tiyagu Bin Bala Subramaniam, 40, moments after he solemnly proclaimed the syahadah in a simple yet deeply meaningful ceremony at the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) Headquarters, Level 4, PERKIM Building, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, here on Monday afternoon.

Previously known as Tiyagu A/L Bala Subramaniam, he recited the declaration of faith first in Arabic and then in Malay, guided by the Senior Executive Da‘i of the PERKIM National Council, YBhg Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin.

The conversion process proceeded calmly and with dignity as Dato’ Razali led him through each phrase of the proclamation, ensuring clarity of pronunciation before explaining foundational aspects of the faith, including the Pillars of Iman, the Pillars of Islam, basic halal and haram principles, and fundamental responsibilities as a newly embraced Muslim.

“I came with full conviction in my heart,” said Tiyagu, whose conversion was witnessed by PERKIM National Assistant Executive Da‘i, Ustaz Haji Amran Anbarasu Abdullah.

“I came here with my cousin to embrace Islam wholeheartedly,” said Tiyagu, who earns his livelihood selling sugarcane juice in Bandar Baru Sentul.

Growing up in a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, Tiyagu said the call to faith did not appear suddenly but had been blossoming within him for many years.

“I went to Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Sentul. All my friends were Muslims. My father always told me, ‘If you want to embrace Islam, wait for the right time.’

“When he passed away in 2019, I asked my mother. She said, ‘If you believe this is good, go ahead. I support you,’” he recalled, his voice breaking.

Tiyagu also shared that he cares for his ageing mother, now in her 60s, as well as two young children of his cousin, aged 10 and 6.
Though unmarried, the weight of responsibility has matured him far beyond his years.

He then revealed a painful chapter of his journey, a struggle often hidden behind quiet perseverance.

“I was misled many times while searching for a teacher to guide me to Islam.

“Many gave me hope, but some asked for money. Some told me to wait at a mosque but never showed up. There were even syndicates. I was really confused,” he said.

Yet he never gave up.

“I told my mother. She contacted my cousin who embraced Islam years ago. He came and showed me his conversion card. Only then did I believe. From there, I continued searching for the right path,” he said.

That long search finally led him to Dato’ Razali, whom he describes as “the true path Allah opened for me after 40 years of waiting.”

“Like being born again… so peaceful,” said Tiyagu, who had longed to embrace Islam but kept the desire to himself.

“My heart used to feel heavy. Now it feels empty… peaceful. Like a newborn. Allah has given me a new path,” he said.

Despite being diagnosed with kidney disease, his determination to pursue Islamic knowledge remains strong.

“I want to become an ustaz. I want to be a preacher. I want to study seriously,” he said with firm resolve.

He also shared that his greatest inspiration is the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS), Prof. Dato’ Dr Haji Mohd Farid Ravi Abdullah.

“I want to be like Dr Farid Ravi… that is my dream,” he said with a smile.

PERKIM National Council expressed its gratitude for Tiyagu’s conversion and will continue guiding him through foundational religious classes, Qur’anic lessons and ongoing spiritual support.

“Every new Muslim is a trust upon us. We guide them gently, with wisdom and compassion,” said Dato’ Razali, embracing him at the end of the ceremony.

With his conversion formalised today, 1 December 2025 becomes a historic turning point for Tiyagu, marking his transition from his former faith into a new chapter strengthened by spiritual conviction.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a conversion kit containing a Qur’an, men’s prayer garments, a Fardu Ain handbook, Iqra’ reading material and other essentials.

Dato’ Razali and Ustaz Amran then led a thanksgiving prayer, seeking Allah’s blessings for Tiyagu’s journey ahead and praying for strength as he strives to become a seeker of knowledge and a preacher who brings benefit to the community.

Tiyagu arrived at PERKIM’s headquarters accompanied by his cousin to embrace Islam, a dream he had cherished since his school days.

Dato’ Razali guided him through the declaration of the two testimonies of faith in both Arabic and Malay, which Tiyagu repeated word for word.

Tiyagu said he felt a deep sense of calm after reciting the sacred declaration of faith, and expressed his aspiration to become like Dr Farid Ravi one day.

Dato’ Razali also briefed Tiyagu on the Pillars of Faith, the Pillars of Islam, the concepts of halal and haram, as well as the fundamental responsibilities of a Muslim.

Dato’ Razali presented a conversion gift bag to Mohamad Tiyagu following the completion of his conversion ceremony.