Sheahnee Iman Lee
Assalamualaikum. My name is Sheahnee Iman Lee and I am Muslim, half Chinese-half Australian, 100% Malaysian.
Every year, I make it a point for my family to celebrate Chinese New Year (‘CNY’) with my parents back at their home in Klang, complete with the requisite reunion dinner, yee sang toss, CNY morning feast, ang pau giving and tea-ceremony. We do our very best to respect my ancestors’ traditions within the limits of my faith and everyone always has a great time.
Growing up, celebrating CNY was a central part of my identity. Being half Australian meant that sometimes I wasnt always viewed as “Chinese enough”. I’m what you might call a “banana” – I cant speak Mandarin, or very much of my Hokkien dialect outside of “chia pah liao?” (Have you eaten yet? – the Hokkien variant of How are you?). I dont look 100% Chinese and now that I’m a Muslim in a hijab, perhaps even less so. So, to celebrate CNY meant I was affirming a part of who I am.
Even today, I’ve raised my part-Indian, part-Malay, part-me kids to understand that CNY is also a part of their DNA. The celebrate it with the same exuberance that they have for Hari Raya. They absorb the culture, appreciate the stories behind each tradition, and learn to blend this into their identity as Muslims. They are blessed to be “rojak”, for they have the opportunity to experience all the wonders of what it means to be Malaysian.
Most importantly, I view it as a responsibility. I want my kids to recognise that their diverse multiracial background is what makes Malaysia strong. Every part of them is testament to their forefathers who came from across the seas and continents to build Malaysia into what it is today. It is something to be proud of, and rightfully, celebrated.
So bring on the yum-cha, bring on the lion dance and bring on the halal bak-kwa! Huat-ah! Because after all the feasting and fireworks are done, we will certainly be looking forward to the serenity of Ramadhan. A happy mix indeed.
