Darren Mak's journey on finding belonging in Islam | Where Race Meets Religion

[@Ahlulkhoir]

Dear all bros and sister in Sgpore. Please invite Darren for a family meals in your house. During iftar. During eid. May Allah bless him.

[@abduh-vn7tm]

As someone who is mixed of Yemeni and Chinese-Indonesian, i do wonder if my chinese ancestors feel exactly like this when they converted. Always happy to see another Chinese muslim fellow. And to Darren, you might not have a muslim family yet (May Allah SWT guide them) but a Chinese Muslim family can come and start from you. InshaAllah everything is good and well for you, Darren. Both in this life and the next.

[@nadiafitrisafira5634]

OMG SAMEEEE

[@rin7109]

salah satu orang Tionghoa juga membawa Islam ke Indonesia dan menyebarkannya

[@rin7109]

dan nenek moyang Indonesia sebelum adanya agama mereka mempercayai roh nenek moyang dan roh roh yang ada di alam

[@noa0766]

My late mum, may Allah bless her, was a Chinese convert with close families in Singapore. Even though, she has long passed, we continue to visit our Chinese families for New Year every year. So Darren , I doa that Allah preserve your family ties and may you remain strong in faith.

[@rehtafrey]

someone told me a person who had this same concern during iftar. this person decided to iftar at a different mosque every night and found some sort of happiness in doing that. maybe you can try it this year insyaAllah.

[@sitizaitonshikhomar8488]

I was going to suggest that to him.

[@vocturngt2744]

Likewise..

[@SekolahRimbaStudio]

masjid hopping is such an experience, that’s a good suggestion

[@MDroid-bn6eb]

OKLETSGO Darren! Wishing you all the best. Fellow Chinese Muslim here, who speaks Malay to blend in really. ❤❤

[@tictochelvetica5517]

My Grandma s a chinese Indon and found Islam as she married Grandpa yet she kept striving in understanding Islam through good scholars and yes She died as a proud Muslim and taught us to follow a religion which teaches donation, modesty and to seek education and self-improvement are part of the practice.Whoa..Islam it is😊

[@goodputin4324]

Indo, not Indon. That word is a slur

[@gelopza]

Asalamualaikum Darren. I make dua for your success and happiness in this world and the hereafter.

[@lovely-wn5rq]

On a blessed friday...Amiin ❤

[@nastsan]

Allahumma barik Darren. May Allah bless you. - Brother from Malaysia

[@snowmoon8050]

Get married brother.😊 Have your own muslim family. Then you have someone to share iftar and eid together. May Allah bless you with everything that is good in the world and the hereafter. Aameen.

[@yut576]

It is heartening and progressive of this channel to show Muslim reverts esp Singapore Chinese. We pray to Allah he opens up the heart even more ppl...like Darren said Islam saved him. To brother, Darren may Allah lead you a Muslimah so you won't feel alone in this life journey.

[@Totajee79]

ameen.

[@vocturngt2744]

Amin ya Rabb

[@s_shaleh]

Aameen.

[@rcaropeboka]

Aamiin

[@tuftythemouse3]

ameeen

[@HaizamShah]

Masya'Allah, didn't know you are a revert Darren! As a born Muslim, I am always intrigued with stories of reverts especially in Singapore's context. I understand that reverts in Singapore are minorities even within the Malay-Muslim community. We could do more to be honest. Nevertheless, as a fellow Muslim, I pray that your journey will always be eased by Him insyaAllah.

[@zafraz1077]

In a way, the majority people that converts have it harder than the minorities in a society such as ours. As he said he doesn't have much companionship such as during iftar. In which us Muslim since birth have. May he find his peace and companionship. Ameen.

[@rodriguesroneyjoseph6113]

Assalamualaikum. Hi Darren, I am an Eurasian race and a Muslim living in Singapore. I am very proud of my Eurasian race and culture, and also, I am definitely proud of my belief and being a Muslim. Can I contact you for friendship. Inshallah.

[@raniayoussef5599]

This was inspiring, duaa's for you from Egypt. May Allah guide us all to his most righteous path

[@neutroyaz]

When it comes to iftar or Raya, you could take that initiative ... buy the food for your family to have dinner /iftar together even if they're not fasting ... for Raya, make the house feel festive, have special dishes, invite your Muslim friends over so that your family can feel involved ..

[@anDar8708]

So well articulated. It's obvious he is a well read man and has thought long and hard about life and Islam. I enjoyed this, thank you.

[@Ninibee933]

Salam Darren I would be delighted to have you join my family's iftar this coming Ramadan, do keep in touch 😊

[@ankequix7223]

May Allah grant you the best in this world and the next, Darren. I'm a fellow convert of nearly 17 years and I can relate to your "salafi" phase in the beginning of your journey within Islam. It's a stage many of us go through as we lack proper guidance and mentorship. As we mature spiritually we understand that Islam isn't that narrow. The loneliness you face as a convert is something we will always carry with us. I am married and have three beautiful children, but celebrating Eid and Ramadan will always be bittersweet as I can't share it with my extended family. May Allah guide our families and surround us with good company who ease our loneliness. 🤲🏻

[@nurulainmohdkhalid360]

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers.”

[@wamushafwanasru]

May Allah ease your journey my brother. may you meet a good muslimah and have a family soon. Amin.

[@awakenedservant]

Islam has no race , Eurasian Muslim here from Singapore ❤ Alhamdullilah ☝🏼

[@kasbms]

Whenever i watch revert stories, i see intellectual of them ❤

[@jimmylukesadam2745]

Bro Darren Mak you will be rewarded by Allah dearly ... Dont be broken hearted if u are having iftar / raya alone... Steadfast with Him aamiin

[@fafard47]

Hi Darren. Have been a following your journey for quite some time now. mad proud with where you are at now.

[@domainadministrator4952]

Hi Darren. Hey mate, you be alright. Ba alwie it the place to be. It is home. I fly back just to be there for Iftar. You have pick for yourself an awesome place. Cheers mate Good on you.

[@GerminezZ]

Assalamualaikum Darren. I feel you when you shared about the loneliness and the missing out part not able to fast and iftar with your family. May Allah grant your family hidayah. I'm pretty sure also when you have your own family, you and your kids will not feel the same way as you do now. Take care brother.

[@triglynx]

This kind of story coming from Singapore, or Malaysian Chinese new revert is really uplifting & warming my heart. Alhamdulillah, Allahu akbar. Now it's time to find a nice Muslim girl to build a family with.

[@zeyalt6553]

Hey Darren, thank you for being so genuine and true to yourself. I'd love to connect with you. May Allah ease your affairs and reward you for your sacrifices.

[@HasnahAhmad-c8e]

Asalam Darren, may Allah grant u patience and guidance throughout ur journey in becoming a better Muslim..aamin😊

[@wicknotjohn]

assalamualaikum brother Darren, allah loves you, prophet muhammad saw loves you and as i, your brother in islam. my wife is chinese muslim and she feels everything you are made aware of in terms of family. youre not alone as there are people like her and you in the somewhat same predicament, make the best of allah's hardship and he rewards as he wills. ameen. allah bless you

[@shah2404]

Alhamdulillah. May Allah s.w.t, Al-Hadi (The One who Guides), continue to guide all of us in this life-long learning journey to gain a good understanding of Islam and persevere to practice it based on the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and live harmoniously with people of different races and religions in Singapore.

[@shazminbahari32]

Mashaallah Darren, tabarakallah. Take your time, brother. I pray for your steadfast.

[@aai_8093]

Masha'Allah brother Darren ❤ may Allah keep you steadfast in the deen amin

[@s.o.f.e.a]

May Allah SWT shower you with His blessings brother Darren, and grant you goodness in this life and the next. You have so many brothers and sisters around the world praying for you 🫶🏽

[@chairmanrosethewisegentleman]

Please contact nearby muslim chinese community. I heard of Ferdaus Chia have a community of muslimnreverts in singapore so Darren would not feel lonely or left behind.

[@metromilo77]

You’re a good man, Darren! Please keep us inspiring!

[@goabaridreamer6659]

Salam brother. I pray that you soon find a soulmate and marry and have your own Muslim family in shaa Allah.

[@nuraziemah4395]

Nice to see my neighborhood here! haha. Come to alkaff Darren, it makes you feel at home and at peace. May Allah grant us steadfastness on His path until we meet Him in Jannah 🤍

[@TheStoicMindset]

Alhamdulillah. You can pray for your family in a good sense Darren, thus you are not truly “isolated”. Pray for their well being, for their spirituality, for their happiness and health. That way you are “connected” to everyone in your family. :-) may Allah swt grant you with good tidings, blessings and insya Allah soulmate for you to start a family soon. Aamiin Allahumma Aamiin.

[@spadecaller6300]

my wife is a revert. her parents and brothers are christians. for 3 years she practised Islam alone. Now she is happily married with a muslim family of her own :) soon you will have your own muslim family too! InsyaAllah . Allah wants the best for us :) Do not despair

[@second_second_]

Thank you Darren, your perspective is very interesting. Enjoyed your talk, very intellectual and you mentioned lots of important stuff.

[@danialcruz9221]

May Allah bless you brother Darren ❤

[@rosanagulzar]

Salaam brother, wonderful story. I know you from Plan B. Always love its intellectualism. Ramadān - Yeah, in fact, I take the month off work to cook for family so we can have a good, happy setting during iftar and sahur. If the time is not yet right to marry a (good) Muslim girl, then yah, try heading to the mosques. They have decent iftar events and prayers. Another idea, is to start cooking yourself. And bring your current family together during iftar! Dinner for them, iftar for you. The best chefs are men! Hope all these help!

[@ajshaari2733]

Serve your parents to your best Darren. Be good and respect them. In shaa Allah you will be blessed.

[@IsmailMarakkar-s1s]

Alhamdulilah brother Darren, may Allah ya hadi guide you in every decision you make, and bless you with everlasting peace within. Nice to see you in Ba'alwi, loads of Alims graced their footsteps there including the great Imam Habib Muhammad bin Salim Al Attas. Thanks for sharing your beautiful dream and the message to lay down your burden and faced Kaabah. Hasbunallah wa nigmal Wakeel, ya akh. I watched the video till the end if you're were my neighbor, and i heard about you. Our door will be always opened for you. It'll be an honur for us.

[@shaikhaalattas7399]

U can have iftar in the mosque. All mosque in Singapore provide iftar. Of course Baalwi as well. Alhamdulilah. Stay strong dear Daren. My doa for u

[@rodzitazainal19]

Assalamu’alaikum Darren, my respect for you for persevering and may Allah to make your journey easy, give you sabar and make your heart steadfast Insya’Allah

[@twinklestar8498]

Is okay Darren! You may not be able to feel the familial side of things when it comes to practising islam now, but you be able to do so when you get married to a muslim and have your own family and children later. it wont be lonely anymore! I pray you find someone good to strive in islam together with you! Aamiin

[@anwarabdullah2887]

Masjid Baalawi is beautiful. Whenever I visit Singapore, I try to visit the mosque.

[@arjandeboer651]

Waste of time

[@Nikima-p2y]

masyaAllah tabarakallah. ahlan wa sahlan into the fold of islam. create your own family so can go to the mosque and celebrate iftar and raya with your family😊 ask Allah to send you a solehah partner and bear you soleh and solehah children till you find sakinah with them. the best is always with Allah. He will grant you the best, insyaAllah, biiznillah😊 we'll continue to make dua for you ok, insyaAllah❤ Allah knows best

[@boyan619]

Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, then surely, Allâh is Swift in calling to account. (19)

[@faizahhajimasud6549]

May Allah swt bless you, take care.

[@namamihar]

Knowing your experience iftar alone becoz you are new in Islam, really open my eyes. If you are my neighbour definitely I ll invite you to have it in my house together with my family. Take care brother...

[@nanieohamdan7321]

Alhamdulillah..so happy for you Darren!

[@maverickmediaworks]

Alhamdulillah brother...

[@tubetaz]

Mashallah and Alhamdulillah ❤

[@Chilky-106]

Mr. Darren, i hope your life continously get better by times

[@s_shaleh]

MashaAllah... May Allah grant you a good partner so that you may build a life together filled with lots of blessings and joy. I just know that you'll be an amazing dad. 😊 May Allah also guide your parents and the rest of your family to Islam. Allah guides whom He wills. Keep praying for your parents okay? 😉

[@nahla1502]

Build your own family, Darren. May Allah bless you and your future family. And may Allah give your family hidayah. Aameen 🤲❤

[@bkzbonkz1555]

Always love his input on his podcast. Alhamdullilah Darren!

[@TheWorld-of7dd]

Alhamdulillah Darren , we are happy for you

[@xyzabc12361]

You have Allah ..the best friend orfamily u could have ever need or desire...

[@ZAbdul-fl5bm]

Assalamualaikum brother ,Alhamdulillah that Allah has guided you to Islam. May Allah bless you with a good righteous God- fearing wife who will be a joy to your life, Aameen. Alhamdulillah and may Allah increase your knowledge in Islam and put iman in your heart, Aameen.

[@Mohammed-tt4fu]

May ALLAH guide and protect you along your journey and May ALLAH guide the hearts of your parents and extended families to ISLAM❤☪️ ❤🕋

[@eagleeyes5700]

Alhamdulillah you are very strong bother Darren

[@abdulharris9793]

Assalaamu'alaykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuhu, Salaam from Jakarta, Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@ahmadrizabasir7163]

May Allah bless you and your family with health safety love and happiness always. InsyaAllah

[@ii9078]

Mashallah Darren >>> TRUST in Allah he is the Ar-Razzaq (The provider) You now has a bigger family than before only you are not aware of it...worries not...... Dua to Allah for a wife /family🙂

[@abdulraheem7426]

Dear Portraits of Asia Are you able to link me up with Brother Darren? Brother Darren, i would love to host you for Iftar and join me and my family for Raya visits.

[@zareenapakermohd5194]

MashaAllah Alhamdulilah…Allah gave you Hidayah🤲🏾 Welcome to the family 🌈

[@lifeisrandom4400]

Life as revert big respect 🙂

[@SS-sv5um]

I’ve had “some” experiences with my Chinese colleagues who “some” viewed the religion practices as uncompromising and strict. Esp when they see our strict 5x prayer lifestyle. I’m not surprised Darren’s parents had initial hesitation. Some of these perceptions are stemmed by a lot of stigma and stereotypes people have over Muslims. Sometimes, it can be very isolating as a Muslim. I wish Darren’s parents / relatives can be more supportive by trying. Try buy food for him during Ramadan or try and send him to mosque for tarawih prayers. They can indirectly be involved by supporting his journey. Don’t have to do much. It’s the little that counts.

[@junglecity90]

I met you before in Masjid ArRabitah a long time ago. My elder sister was a teacher in your JC in charge of Malay dance.

[@hrshsln6768]

I only just see clips of you in Plan B, now that I found out you’re a Muslim, Alhamdulillah Darren, Barakallah Feekum.

[@nadzrimoin8061]

Assalammualaikum Darren, whenever you come to KL, give me a holler. Would love to host you dinner and take you to Putrajaya Mosque for Friday prayer.

[@mell7702]

May Allah give hidayah n taufiq to your family too

[@Apricotenak]

Darren, may Allah give you more strength and patient

[@fatimaa-q6f]

الله يثبتك

[@MuhammadAshraffimreallysorry]

love you brother Darren.

[@MuhdFaris-sz9jj]

Alhamdulillah for Islam❤ Alhamdulillah untuk Islam❤

[@drewmad4744]

Alhamduĺillah❤❤❤❤

[@nurhishammursidi387]

It is lonely when comes to festive or even during praying.. i feel u bro... get married start a family insya'allah

[@MNAinYYC]

Barakallahufeek my dear brother Darren.

[@mubarizafzal8296]

May Allah bless you brother Darren.

[@peppergirlrocks]

ok Darren, You said "if only". Can. Possible. InShaAllah. You find a Malay muslim girl, get married, and move in with her family.

[@dibodiib5828]

I miss the old me so much 😪

[@fxrisxmxli]

Thank you Allah for saving this guy

[@mohammadtaufek5529]

Alhamdulillah Syukran Darren, May Allah guide you to be steadfast in Islam. Learn more about Islam by reading the Quran. You have found a very good mosque & Habib insya Allah will assist you. You will find peace when you Read the Quran. Welcome to Islam ………Insya Allah you will find a good muslim wife…

[@abdulrajaf6]

Alhamdulilah...Darren...HONESTLY...ALLAH SWT...have GUIDE you...May you KEEP LEARNING...about ISLAM...(I'm X-Sporean....and i know it's Takes a LOT of GUTS...as a REVERT...in S'PORE...)..

[@nabilikhwansalim7207]

You are welcome to my house anytime bro,but I’m in kl !come next fasting month 😊

[@kutuberahak]

Assalamualaikum Darren. You might not read this comment. But I pray you'll find good Muslim partner and have your own family in the future. 😊

[@syedaali6596]

Ameen

[@syedaali6596]

Ameen

[@ophirbactrius8285]

Basically, in Islamic commonly tradition, every any newly Muslims convert; Mualaf have a privilege and priority in Muslims care wellfare as an orphans, vagabonds travellers, Ibnu Sabil ( A muslims students who from a poor family and struggling hard to complete any crucial important branch of knowledge i.e. surgeon specialists, airspace engineering, marine shipping engineering, nuclear specialists and so on ). If there are any misconducts, bad treatment by any wellfare organizations, you have a highly authority to report JAKIM or any State Islamic Council for a decisive actions.

[@mell7702]

subhanallah Darren, Allahumma mustaan

[@ritadonita144]

He should do podcast with Dondy Tan

[@dearmoon08]

masha allah!

[@Hellibra]

Why don't you go to the mosque have ifftar? I know in Malaysia most mosques provide ifftar. Many Msians go to the mosques or surau for the whole month of Ramadhan. While waiting for terawih solat, get to know your muslim brothers and make network of friends. Thats how you start.

[@hafizhassan9786]

Salam Darren, just find a nice Muslim lady or someone you fall in love and willing to join your faith, so you can settle down and have your own family. Many reverts mostly women do that as its not easy to live alone as a new Muslim, even you have friends.

[@nurfazly]

see u there darren every thursday night. all the best in path to Bar. pls support darren podcast plan b.

[@alanlam972]

Is it possible to make one Malay became Christian or Malay became Buddhist, or Buddhist became Muslim in where race meets religion to show Singapore is a multi racial country?

[@kingkai3862]

Stay strong dude. You'll get better rewards from God for your steadfastness.

[@second_second_]

I wish mosques/surau would be more open for non-muslims to relax. Yes, they're open for visit, but it feels quite formal, you know? Muslims can lepak and even sleep at mosques, but it would not open like that for non-muslims. I understand that it's a sacred prayer place. Just wish that it would feel more welcoming and relaxing to anyone other than muslims too, so it's easier for them to learn about Islam & also for us to understand each other. Maybe can have some spot for anyone to visit/relax/sit. I dont know, sorry if it's not practical. Or maybe some kind of regular events where all races are invited. Or maybe in the mosque committee, can add non-Malay Muslims as well? I understand that most mosques usually have their own community who founded the particular mosque.

[@Jannahmd2457]

There are at darul arqam. Free iftar on sat n u can mingle with those who are searching too. Not necessarily Muslims