Stronger than ever: (From left) Khudijah, Muniammah, Muhammad Mikhael and Dahalan will be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri together for the first time.
KLANG: Hari Raya Aidilfitri has always been a quiet affair since Muhammad Mikhael Sathayah converted to Islam.In the past five years, the 41-year-old social media influencer only had his Hindu mother M. Muniammah by his side during the festival.
But the atmosphere will change to one that is a little livelier this year as the mother-and-son pair will join the family of his fiancee Murni Azwa Dahalan, 30.
“This will be a very special Hari Raya celebration after Murni and I overcame various obstacles to be together,” Muhammad Mikhael said.
The couple, who have known each other for nearly five years, were engaged several months ago and will be tying the knot on May 12.
But this union of two families of different races and religions did not come by smoothly.
The pair did not receive blessings from the family until Muhammad Mikhael returned from Mecca upon performing the umrah late last year.
Murni’s father Dahalan Mohamod, 69, eventually gave his nod to the relationship.
Muhammad Mikhael said after marrying, they will be living next to the home of his 73-year-old mother in Tambun, Perak.
On festive preparations, Murni said her family plans to give Muhammad Mikhael and his mother a very memorable celebration.
She said her father and mother Khudijah Yusof, 65, are looking forward to hosting the new family members this Hari Raya.
“They are very excited and happy and have started preparing extra dishes to welcome Mikhael and his mother.”
Murni added that the gathering would also serve as a catching-up session between her parents and future mother-in-law, who have become fast friends since her engagement to Muhammad Mikhael.
