United in different faiths, a great-grandmother shares generations of love
At 95, Goh Hui Lang says she has little reason to feel lonely.
Living in Indera Mahkota 2 near Kuantan, Pahang, the widow is surrounded by a large, close-knit family of children and grandchildren who practise different faiths but remain united.
Although her husband died 47 years ago, she considers herself fortunate to be cared for by generations who continue to celebrate various festivities.
Goh is originally from Rompin, Pahang, before moving to Kampung Jambu in Nenasi, Pekan. She married her late husband, Boon Kuan Seng from Kampung Lubuk Paku, Maran, in 1949.
“I was 14 at the time. My mother liked my future husband and told us to get married,” said Goh, who is a Christian.
From their marriage, the couple had 10 children, five of whom later embraced Islam.
“I never stopped them from converting to Islam, but I always reminded them that Islam is a great religion… so once you enter it, don’t turn back,” she added.
In addition to her 10 children, she now has 28 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
A home of festivities
Almost the entire family gathers during festive celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Christmas.
One of her children, Boon Ai Li, whose Islamic name is Nur Laila Qarina Abdullah, said their father once served as a special constable during the British colonial era.
However, Laila, 52, said she remembers little about her experiences with her father, though there was something special about him.
“Father didn’t teach us to speak Chinese. He told us to learn it ourselves, and my siblings and I can not only speak Chinese but also Tamil.
“We learned everything on our own from neighbours and friends living in this housing area,” she said.
She previously lived in Malacca before moving to Kuantan about five years ago to help her sister care for Goh.
Embracing Islam
Asked why she embraced Islam, Laila said it began after she was involved in an accident that shattered her ankle, requiring screws to be inserted.
The incident, she said, happened at the end of Ramadan - three days before Syawal. While asleep, she said she heard the azan, followed by a voice urging her to recite the declaration of faith.
“All that happened in 2018, and I took two years to truly understand Islam before embracing the religion.
“That means in 2020, I converted to Islam and then returned to Kuantan to take care of my mother,” she explained.
Laila added that three of her sisters and one brother also embraced Islam, while five other siblings continue practising their respective faiths. However, that brother passed away several years ago.
Diversity a source of strength
Meanwhile, one of Goh’s 31 grandchildren, 22-year-old Nur Adawiyah Danish Boon, said she feels very fortunate to belong to such a unique family.
Despite their differences in belief, she said they continue to celebrate that diversity, turning it into a source of strength.
Adawiyah also said the close bonds within the family have given her confidence to face life’s challenges.
“I’m proud to have aunts and uncles who truly look after our family ties.
“Even though we practise different religions, it has never limited the relationship between us,” said the second-year student of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) in Gambang.
The project management student added that her university friends are always excited whenever they meet her family members.
“I often invite them to celebrate Hari Raya here, so they can see for themselves what our family is like.
“Most of my friends at UMPSA are amazed at how we are so tolerant despite having different religions,” she added.
