PERKIM Organises Workshop to Strengthen Convert Families, Emphasises Roles of Husbands and Wives

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 7, 2026 – A total of 25 convert (mualaf) couples from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds participated in the Empowering Happy Convert Families Workshop, jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) at the Grand Continental Hotel here today.

Programme coordinator, Ustazah Siti Munirah Sayed Mohd Hamdan said the participants comprised members of the Chinese, Indian, Murut, Kadazan, Iban and Bidayuh communities, as well as individuals from Indonesia, the Philippines and several African countries.

She said the workshop was aimed at strengthening the family institution among converts through a deeper appreciation of Islamic values while guiding couples to better understand their respective roles and responsibilities in building harmonious, tranquil and blessed households.

 

The one-day programme featured Haji Hushim Haji Salleh, Managing Director, Founder and Registered Counsellor of Hushim Motivational and Counselling Consultancy as the keynote speaker.

In the opening session, he delivered a lecture titled “The Concept of Family Life in Islam”, emphasising that marriage is not merely a union between husband and wife but serves as the foundation for the stability of individuals, society and the nation.

Haji Hushim, who is also Vice-Chairman of PERKIM Selangor State Division, said the formation of a Muslim family should be rooted in compassion, responsibility and divine mercy in order to nurture a generation of faithful and morally upright individuals.

According to him, convert families often face unique challenges, including cultural adjustments, pressure from non-Muslim family members, limited support systems, marital conflicts and issues related to raising children.

As such, he stressed that convert couples should continuously strengthen their religious knowledge and spiritual practices to preserve harmony within the household.

During the second session, titled “The Responsibilities of Husbands and Wives”, Haji Hushim underscored that marital happiness can only be achieved when both spouses understand their respective rights and obligations.

He explained that husbands are entrusted with the roles of leader, protector, provider and guide, bearing the responsibility of fulfilling both the material and emotional needs of their families while leading with wisdom and compassion.

At the same time, wives play a vital role as sources of comfort and support, guardians of family dignity and educators of children grounded in faith and moral excellence.

Haji Hushim also reminded participants that effective communication remains one of the most important pillars of a successful marriage.

Couples were encouraged to cultivate a culture of discussion, mutual respect and understanding, while avoiding sarcasm and practising courteous and gentle communication in daily family life.

Reflecting on his experience in da’wah and welfare work, Haji Hushim, who is also Chairman of PERKIM Klang Branch, noted that the branch recently received the Most Active PERKIM Branch Award during the 37th Annual General Meeting of PERKIM Selangor State Division on May 9.

He said the branch has been actively supporting converts through various initiatives, including providing employment opportunities at PERKIM Klang Restaurant and offering free meals to the public every Friday.

“Family development cannot be separated from efforts to nurture a generation that is faithful and of good character. Children must be raised from a young age with religious knowledge, love and positive examples from their parents,” he said.

As part of the programme, Haji Hushim conducted an interactive activity involving married convert couples. Participants were asked to stand facing one another in what was described as a romantic setting.

Each couple was encouraged to express phrases such as “I love you” while holding hands and embracing one another as an exercise in strengthening emotional bonds and appreciation within marriage.

The activity concluded with a symbolic gesture in which husbands presented a red rose to their wives.

The importance of communication rooted in courtesy, wisdom and sincerity was further emphasised by PERKIM National Administration Director Dr Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, who delivered the third session titled “Communication in Marriage”.

She said communication in Islam is not merely a means of conveying information but a trust that must be carried out responsibly, guided by noble character and honesty.

According to Dr Suariza, the Quran outlines several communication principles that can serve as practical guidelines for married couples in maintaining harmony and mutual understanding.

She explained that the principle of Qaulan Sadida calls for truthfulness and accuracy in speech, while Qaulan Baligha emphasises the use of impactful words capable of touching the hearts of others.

Similarly, Qaulan Ma’rufa encourages the use of kind and respectful language, while Qaulan Karima advocates communication characterised by dignity and respect, particularly within family relationships.

“Gentle and courteous communication is more readily accepted and helps prevent conflict within the household. Therefore, husbands and wives should practise Qaulan Layyina by speaking softly and respectfully, even when differences of opinion arise,” she said.

Dr Suariza added that Islam also teaches believers to decline requests politely through the concept of Qaulan Maysura while prioritising wisdom in all forms of communication.

In today’s fast-paced digital era, she reminded participants of the importance of tabayyun — verifying the authenticity of information before sharing it — to prevent slander, misunderstandings and the spread of misinformation that could disrupt family harmony.

She noted that ineffective communication often lies at the heart of marital conflict, whereas good communication strengthens affection, builds trust and contributes to a more peaceful family environment.

“Islamic communication focuses not only on what is conveyed but also on how the message is delivered. When these principles are practised, they strengthen bonds, convey truth and guide people towards goodness,” she said.

The session attracted keen interest from participants representing various ethnicities and nationalities, providing practical insights into effective communication strategies for managing the challenges of married life and building families founded upon sakinah, mawaddah and rahmah.

Meanwhile, PERKIM Vice-President and Head of PERKIM Women’s Wing, YTM Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Hajjah Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, also attended the programme and spent time engaging with participants while taking part in motivational activities and mind games conducted throughout the workshop.

Tunku Noor Hayati, who is also a trained counsellor, interacted personally with the convert couples and shared her views on the importance of mutual understanding, patience and compassion in building a stable and fulfilling marriage.

The workshop provided participants with valuable insights into the importance of effective communication as the foundation for creating families characterised by tranquillity, love and mercy, while further strengthening the institution of convert families in Malaysia.

The programme concluded with a question-and-answer session and the sharing of personal experiences by participants, many of whom described the workshop as an important platform for deepening their understanding of family life from an Islamic perspective, particularly for those who had recently embraced Islam.

Tunku Noor Hayati later presented food baskets and tokens of appreciation to each couple before the programme concluded with a photography session and afternoon tea.

 

Convert couples register upon arrival for the Empowering Happy Convert Families Workshop.

 

Farah Irisha serves as master of ceremonies for the workshop jointly organised by PERKIM National and MAIWP.

 

Mohd Firdaus Pompeyos Abdullah leads the opening prayer for the programme.

 

Participants raise their hands in supplication as the prayer is recited.

 

In his presentation, Haji Hushim emphasises that marriage is not merely a bond between husband and wife but the foundation of stability for individuals, society and the nation.

 

According to Haji Hushim, the formation of a Muslim family should be grounded in love, responsibility and divine mercy in order to nurture a generation of faithful and morally upright individuals.

 

Haji Hushim stresses that marital happiness can only be achieved when both spouses understand their respective rights, responsibilities and trust placed upon them.

 

Haji Hushim conducts an interactive session involving convert couples, inviting them to stand facing one another in what he describes as a romantic and meaningful setting.

 

Convert couples are encouraged to embrace one another during the relationship-strengthening session.

 

A symbolic activity sees husbands presenting a red rose to their wives as a gesture of appreciation and affection.

 

One of the participating couples shares a joyful moment after the husband presents his wife with an embrace and a red rose.

 

The symbolic presentation of a red rose further enhances the spirit of affection and appreciation between husband and wife.

 

Haji Hushim, Siti Munirah and Farah Irisha pose for a commemorative photograph with participants of the Empowering Happy Convert Families Workshop.

 

Dr Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad delivers a presentation titled “Communication in Marriage” during the third session of the workshop.

 

Dr Suariza listens attentively to a participant’s views and experiences regarding communication in marriage.

 

According to Dr Suariza, gentle and courteous communication is more readily accepted and helps prevent conflicts within the household.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati a trained counsellor, takes the opportunity to engage personally with convert couples.

 

According to Chief of PERKIM Women, YTM Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Hajjah Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, understanding the importance of effective communication is fundamental to building families characterised by sakinah, mawaddah and rahmah.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati leads motivational activities and mind games conducted throughout the programme.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati presents tokens of appreciation and food baskets to an Indian convert couple.

 

A Chinese convert couple receives a token of appreciation and a food basket from Tunku Noor Hayati.

 

The Head of PERKIM Women joins PERKIM National committee members and participants for a commemorative group photograph at the conclusion of the programme.