Muslim converts should stay close with non-muslim family members,says Jeanne

Muslim converts should not cut family ties nor should they be undutiful to their non-Muslim parents, the prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, said today.

“Go back home and keep in touch with your parents. Visit them regularly and show them that you are the same pers on except that you practise Islam, so that the relationship will grow closer.

“Those who have children, guide and teach them and be their example,” she said at the opening of the state-level “Saudara Kita Ke-3” convention at the Islamic Information Centre here. Jeanne, a convert, said her parents had changed their eating habits so that she could go home to eat comfortably.

“We continue to celebrate Christmas but not in the religious sense. Like Hari Raya, we forgive and give presents to appreciate each other. We continue the tradition until today,” she said.

She also urged Muslim converts to read the Quran diligently to understand and discover its secrets that could be used for the benefit of Muslims.

Parents should teach their children to read the Quran at a young age so that they would grow up with good moral values, she said.

“Now, the Quran is written in various languages. Read it in the language you feel comfortable with so that you can understand,” she said, adding that she read the Quran or pray with her husband, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the prime minister, every morning.

My says to Jeanne - All muslim's must wear "tudung" & wajib tutup "aurat"...don't you know???