PERKIM Forum Highlights Strength of Converts, Inspires Reflection in Conjunction with Maulidur Rasul SAW

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

KUALA LUMPUR, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 – In conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul SAW celebration, the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) organised the Maulidur Rasul 1447H Forum at the PERKIM Friday Surau, PERKIM Building, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, here on Saturday morning.

The special forum, attended by more than 200 participants including new Muslims from diverse backgrounds – Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Bidayuh, Murut, Sikh, as well as nationals from Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar. shed light on the journeys, struggles and lessons of two distinguished converts who have since established themselves in their respective fields.

The programme began with welcoming remarks by Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah, Officer at the Da’wah and Human Development Unit of PERKIM National, followed by an opening prayer.

The forum was moderated by Ustaz Abdul Qawi Navine Abdullah, Assistant Da’wah Officer at the PERKIM Islamic Da’wah Institute, Kuala Lumpur (IDIPKL).

The two invited panelists were Ustaz Mohd Naim Islam Abdullah, Officer of the Converts and Social Development Division at Kedah Zakat Board (LZNK), and Tuan Haji Ahmad Burhan Tee Abdullah, a Syariah and Civil Lawyer at Burhan Tee & Co.

The first panelist, Ustaz Naim Islam, born into a Hindu family in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, recounted how his early negative perceptions of Islam shaped his youth. His path, however, turned when he encountered the Qur’an.

“While reading the Qur’an, I found the answer that the true God is Allah, the Creator of the universe, unlike His creations,” he explained.

On July 27, 1985, at the age of 19, he embraced Islam despite facing strong opposition from his family. With guidance from PERKIM’s Islamic Da’wah Institute (IDIP) and traditional religious education, he remained steadfast. For him, the knowledge of tawhid (oneness of God) became the foundation in confronting challenges.

“We recognise Allah through Allah, not through human imagination or idols. This principle is what I hold onto and instil in my students so their faith remains unshaken,” he said.

The second panelist, Haji Burhan Tee, originally from Teluk Intan, Perak, shared how he lived in a Buddhist household while receiving Islamic education at a national school.

“Each time I was forced to carry idols to the temple, I wondered, can something tangible truly be God?” he recalled.

Excelling in Islamic studies despite not being Muslim at the time further deepened his search for truth. Inspired by his mother’s sacrifices, he eventually embraced Islam as his natural path.

Moderator Ustaz Abdul Qawi summarised that both panelists underscored the importance of knowledge and strong faith, knowledge to safeguard belief and faith to shield against life’s trials.

The forum also highlighted the Prophet Muhammad’s SAW approach in da’wah, wisdom, gentleness and respect for non-Muslim sensitivities.

Ustaz Naim shared how he was ostracised by family after converting, but his teachers’ advice to continue showing kindness eventually softened their hearts, leading him to be respected in the community.

Meanwhile, Haji Burhan Tee recalled his years at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), where he practised Islam in secrecy due to emotional pressure and threats from his mother. Only after completing his studies did he declare his faith openly, while continuing to serve his mother until her passing.

Ustaz Naim also stressed that converts must embody good character towards family members, demonstrating the beauty of Islam. He cited the Prophet’s patience with adversaries, many of whom later embraced Islam due to his compassion.

The forum also emphasised that challenges faced by new Muslims are not hindrances but catalysts to strengthen their faith. Key takeaways included the duty to care for non-Muslim parents with love, sincerity in conversion solely for Allah rather than marriage, the proper understanding of the shahadah as a true declaration of faith, and the need to nurture converts as future da’wah bearers.

In his final remarks, Haji Burhan Tee highlighted the family’s role in nurturing love for the Prophet SAW, through integrating religious and academic learning, reviving the sunnah at home, and commemorating Maulidur Rasul as a means of appreciating his life. He stressed that the Qur’an and Hadith must be inseparable, with Hadith guiding the implementation of Allah’s commands.

The forum concluded with a keynote by PERKIM National Senior Director of Da’wah, Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin, who expressed gratitude to Allah SWT and conveyed appreciation on behalf of PERKIM National Honorary Secretary-General, Datuk Dr. Haji Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, to the panelists, moderator and participants.

Dato’ Razali said the experiences shared by the converts offered profound lessons for the wider Muslim community.

“Through their journeys, we see that the struggle to return to fitrah (natural disposition) can be even greater than what many of us endure,” he said.

He reminded attendees that the Prophet Muhammad SAW set the highest example of patience and perseverance in delivering Islam despite insults and persecution.

According to him, the forum achieved its objective of fostering deeper awareness of what true love for the Prophet means.

Quoting the adage “to know him is to love him,” he explained that love for the Prophet SAW comes only through genuine understanding of his character, struggle and sunnah.

“True love demands sacrifice, just as lovers are willing to endure anything for their beloved. The Prophet himself said that one’s faith is incomplete until he loves him more than his parents, children and all of mankind,” Dato’ Razali added.

He urged Muslims to reflect on their love for the Prophet compared to other attachments, and to express that love through consistent selawat (praises), obedience to his teachings, practice of the sunnah, avoidance of prohibitions, and commitment to da’wah.

Dato’ Razali likened this to “recharging the battery of faith” so that it remains vibrant and alive.

He also stressed that the responsibility of da’wah lies not only with PERKIM or Islamic NGOs, but with the entire Muslim ummah.

Citing PERKIM’s outreach to Orang Asli, Chinese, Indian and other communities, he described it as a manifestation of love for the Prophet’s mission.

Before ending his speech, he commended PERKIM staff for their dedication and expressed pride in PERKIM’s Islamic studies students for their perseverance in seeking knowledge.

“With Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I hereby officiate the Maulidur Rasul SAW 1447H Forum,” he declared, urging participants to remain steadfast in upholding the Prophet’s legacy.

The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques to Ustaz Naim Islam and Haji Burhan Tee, followed by a group photo session and a lunch reception.

New Muslims filling in their personal details during the registration session of the Maulidur Rasul 1447H Forum.

Ustaz Farhan Tee, as the master of ceremonies, welcomed the audience to the Maulidur Rasul Forum organised by PERKIM and MAIWP.

Ustaz Abdul Qawi, as the forum moderator, introduced the two panelists to the audience.

More than 200 new Muslims attended the Maulidur Rasul SAW 1447H Forum.

New Muslims listening attentively to the forum discussions.

Ustaz Naim Islam embraced Islam at the age of 19 despite facing opposition from his family.

New Reverts from various ethnic backgrounds listening while taking notes of the knowledge shared.

Haji Burhan Tee shared his experience as an outstanding student in Islamic studies, despite not being a Muslim at that time.

Haji Burhan Tee encouraged converts to make the Maulidur Rasul celebration a platform to appreciate and reflect upon the Prophet’s biography.

Ustaz Naim Islam illustrated the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s SAW patience in facing opposition until his enemies eventually embraced Islam due to his gentleness.

Haji Burhan Tee urged the audience to cultivate love for the Prophet Muhammad SAW by educating their children with affection, knowledge and exemplary morals.

Ustaz Naim Islam advised new Muslims to take the Prophet Muhammad SAW as the best example (uswatun hasanah) in their daily lives.

Dato’ Razali, representing the Honorary Secretary-General, officiated the Maulidur Rasul 1447H Forum.

In his speech, Dato’ Razali said that Prophet Muhammad SAW demonstrated the highest example of patience, perseverance and steadfastness in conveying the message of Islam despite being insulted, humiliated and persecuted.

Dato’ Razali presented a commemorative plaque from PERKIM to Ustaz Naim Islam.

Haji Burhan Tee received a commemorative plaque from PERKIM, presented by Dato’ Razali.

Dato’ Razali, together with the panelists, posed for a group photograph with participants at the end of the forum.

Forum participants queuing up to collect their lunch.

New Muslims enjoying the lunch reception together.