Difference in Religion No Obstacle in Raising Muslim Granddaughter
Tan Guan Neo Nyonya Po Po, 70, of Taman Merdeka said she was willing to shoulder the burden of a mother since her granddaughter, Fahira Nabilah Isham was four months old after her mother, Tan's youngest daughter, Fatin Nasuha Lee, became mentally ill.
“I drove her to religious school and Quran classes to ensure she had a proper religious education,” said Tan.
“I also ensured she performed her religious obligations,” she added at the Mothers Day celebration yesterday, Bernama reported.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and state Women, Family Development and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Latipah Omar were also there.
Tan said she ensured that her granddaughter, who is now 19 years old, performed her prayers and made her observe the fasting month from the age of five.
“It was not easy to raise a grandchild while protecting and fostering her religious faith, as there were many challenges,” said Tan.
“A village headman once came to my house and told me I was not qualified to look after my Muslim grandchild and told me to send her to an orphanage but I protested.”
Fahira is now studying computer science at Universiti Teknologi Mara.
Tan, whose husband died last year, has five daughters, aged 39 to 50 years. Two of their other daughters also embraced Islam.
Two other mothers also received their awards at the celebration. They are Rokiah Alwi, 73, and R. Kalliany, 59.
Another mother worthy of note is 101-year-old Meliah Md Diah, who is determined to continue taking care of her youngest son, Abdul Rahman Saud, 63, who is physically-challenged.
The centenarian from Kampung Bukit Nambua, Kuala Nerang, said she would give her best to Abdul Rahman, who has not been able to speak, walk or lead a normal life.
“My son has never been a burden. Since he was a baby, I bathed, fed and put on his clothes for him. I will take care of him forever. I love him,” she said.
Meliah’s grand-niece Siti Jaleha Yunus, 59, said her grandmother’s life story was a good example of a mother’s sacrifice for her child.
She said Meliah had no income and depended entirely on the monthly assistance of RM450 from the Kedah Tithe Department and RM300 from the Social Welfare Department.
Source: The Star
