Key Points
- Ramadan, occurring in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, will begin on 12 March this year.
- Madz Kamlon migrated to Australia five years ago, adhering to the Islamic faith.
- As a mother now, she says her connection to her faith grows stronger every day.
Kamlon says motherhood was her turning point to reconnecting with her religion, and that she now aspires to serve as a role model for her son.
Madz Kamlon’s parents Credit: Supplied
‘Reverting’ to Islam
Kamlon says her mother “reverted” to Islam while her father is an “Ustadh”, an Arabic term that is used as a title of respect for a male teacher or instructor in Islamic studies.
In Islam, when you embrace the faith, you have to convert, but we refer to it as ‘reverting’ because we believe that we were all born as Muslims.
Madz Kamlon
“It was a bit challenging for her because there was a significant gap when my father had to leave the country,” she said.
“She had to raise us by herself, and since she wasn’t very familiar with Islamic traditions, it was tough for her.”
Madz Kamlon’s extended family members Credit: Supplied
‘I felt different’
“My mother was not forceful. She gave us freedom and space during times when things were too difficult for us,” she says.
However, growing up as a Muslim in a (majority) Christian community made me feel like I didn’t quite belong.
Madz Kamlon
“Although I was allowed to be in the class, I couldn’t participate, which made me keenly aware of my differences.”
“I understood that I was different and didn’t quite fit in, and [I’m kind of] thankful that I was not observing Ramadan then,” she says.
‘Ramadan is our Christmas’
“I have a fondness for it because of my mother’s side of the family. We celebrate Christmas enthusiastically, and as I grew older, I developed a strong attachment to the festivities. My mum would compare Ramadan to Christmas,” she says.
Madz Kamlon (L) and her mother Credit: Supplied
As she ages, she says she brushes off misunderstandings such as when her company in the Philippines gave away free pork to staff. Muslims are forbidden to consume pork.
“At times, I would explain myself but on some occasions, I opt to pick my battles,” Kamlon says.
‘Passing down Islam’
“It’s a bit easier to expose my son to Islam because my father is here. He organises a specific day and time for them to study Islam, including the Quran, so he can focus more on teaching my child compared to our time before when he was away,” she says.
Madz Kamlon with her son Khalil during prayer Credit: Supplied
“In our religion, the prayers of your child help you in the afterlife. That’s one of the reasons why my father taught him so well because he instilled in him that his prayer would be beneficial to his (late) dad.
“Knowing that my son is still connected to his father through prayers, I let my child practise Islam.”
‘Renewed faith’
“There’s a significant change in perception when you become a mother. It’s not just about faith; it’s about understanding the importance of religion,” she says.
Madz Kamlon says Ramadan is the time for people to fast and spend time with prayers. Credit: Supplied
‘Setting a good example for my son’
“So, when we say fast – it doesn’t only mean that you [must] stop eating or drinking, it is also about [controlling] your worldly desire that includes sexual activities, or vices, so you [must] fast from all those from morning ‘til night.
Madz Kamlon migrated to Australia five years ago, adhering to the Islamic faith. Credit: Supplied
“In the past few years, I’ve begun to strengthen my connection with my faith. This year’s Ramadan feels like a test for me because I used to be distant from God or Allah.
“It’s not just about me anymore; it’s about setting an example for my son. I have to be a role model.”
Source Agencies