FINDING IDENTITY

Religious Background

Being the only son of the family, I was a germ of my parents. My sister, being the only daughter of my family becomes the princess of my grandparents on the other hand. So, I stay with my parents and my sister stays with my grandparents.

I was a bit talented with Koran reading. By the age of 13, I was welcomed to present the Koran reading to the public at our village Mosque. I also have presented 'azan' many times at the Mosque. 'Azan' is a kind of song dedicated to our Islam followers informing or reminding them that the specific type of prayer is on time and welcoming them to perform the same at home or anywhere else you are free to do so; not necessarily at the Mosque. But performing each prayer together under the leadership of Imam in the Mosque is much more welcomed and prevailed. Azan must be performed by a 'Bilal'; a person appointed by the Mosque committee members. But, an ordinary person also may perform Azan if the Bilal is not available for any reason, provided always that person knew and talented enough to perform. Azan must be performed 5 times a day in accordance with specific periods for praying. 

In 1974, I was selected to study at Sekolah Menengah Sains Pahang, at Batu 8, Jalan Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang ( Secondary School of Science, Pahang, now known as Sultan Ahmad Science School), a type of boarding school well and fully sponsored by our Federal Government. The school provided a full science stream subjects and students are selected from various places of the country on their merits. I was selected by the school's religious teacher to be the Bilal of the School.

I became the champion for the Koran reciting competition organized by the School. I was then qualified to compete for the championship for the District of Kuantan which was held at the Mosque of Kampung Beserah, Kuantan. That was in 1974 and I have a consolation prize only.
  

I was then admitted to Sekolah Alam Shah, another boarding school in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur to study literature for the Higher School Certificate in 1976. I was straight away appointed as the Bilal for the School based on my record and performance from my previous school. The School's Big Hall was selected to be the location for Friday afternoon's prayer. There were many Muslim students from neighboring boarding schools and colleges performed their Friday prayer here; such as from  Special Teachers Training School, Selangor Secondary School of Science, Selangor Technical School and Technical Teachers College. So my role as the Bilal have been crucial then.

I was then became the champion in the Koran reciting competition held by the School and reprsenting the same for Cheras area. Again, I have a consolation prize.

July, 1978 I was admitted as a law student at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. I was located at the Fifth College Hostel of the University ( nowdays known as Dayasari Residential College ) which was quite far from my Law Faculty. When you missed the bus, you have to walk about 3 to 4 km to join your classes....sometimes you have to miss it if it rains.

As usual, I was easily appointed as the Bilal for the Hostel, though I have rejected the post. The law subject was quite difficult and the papers are taught in English. I have less time to be spent at 'Surau' ( a small place for praying, compared to mosque ) but still recited Koran continuously.

I claimed 3rd place in the Musabaqah Peringkat Pusat ( Central Stage of the Koran Reciting ), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur for the year of 1978 which was held at DTC ( Dewan Tuanku Chancelor).

the DTC