At about 11.30 a.m. my dad, Andrew Chee Heng Long, our friend Sani & I arrived, not knowing what to expect. Other than filling up some forms & reciting the kalimah syahadah, of course.
We somehow navigated our way into the office building, but only after nearly venturing into the ladies' prayer room, no thanks to the lack of signage in the vicinity. No real harm done, since it's not prayer time anyway.
We didn't need to wait long for our turn. I suppose people don't exactly flock to this place (for whatever reason) like they do in banks, post office and other similar places. I only managed to grab a pic before we were called in to meet the officer-in-charge.
To my pleasant surprise, the officer who greeted us was a woman (I was expecting the stereotypical bearded middle-aged man ^^). And truth be told, I can't help but notice the striking resemblance to a friend from UTM. The greater astonishment came the moment she spoke, because she sounds very much like my friend. Now I wasn't even considering the possibility that this woman is indeed my UTM friend but instead, I was considering the possibility that voices are sort of 'designed' to match with particular faces. Could it be that two people who look alike would also sound alike?
Okay that was off-topic.
My dad listened attentively as the officer (whose name remains a mystery to all of us) asks Andrew what opened his eyes to Islam, what was his motivation, what does he understand about Islam & religion in general (since he was an atheist). Probably my dad would be thinking "here we go again" ^^ since he's been there and done that some 32 years ago.
After some precautionary advice as to how one can't embrace another religion after once you're a Muslim, the Islamization (I'm not sure if that's the proper term or use of it) begins.
Our friendly neighbourhood officer explains to all of us the process of becoming a Muslim by law. Andrew would have to go for a 5-day camping trip....err, I meant an educational trip to Pantai Remis, Kuala Selangor to learn the basics of practising Islam: prayers, doa, reciting Iqra' and pretty the Islamic way of life.
And being the supportive people we are, my dad, Sani and I listened and asked for clarification ourselves. I believe it is important for all of us to be supportive and invest just as much effort in Andrew's education and development as a Muslim.
At long last, Andrew filled up the form that certifies his embracing of the Muslim faith. It is since then that Andrew Chee Heng Long became 'Harith Zekry Chee Heng Loong bin Abdullah'. Whoa, a name that's longer than mine.
First thing that crossed my mind: how would the NRD fit this frikkin' long name onto Andrew's new MyKad? :-D
Secondly: how would the NRD fit Andrew's child's name onto his/her MyKad in the future? :-D
After Andrew completed the form, my father officially became the first legal witness, followed by Sani as the second witness. I became the 3rd 'unofficial' witness, but I witnessed it all the same :-)
For some reason everyone felt the need to pose in front of the building. It was a good group shot, but actually I was trying to get in a candid shot.
Once everything is over and done with, we all headed back home. Thankfully everything went smoothly. Alhamdulillah ^^
