Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
I attended school as the only non-Muslim in my class. They didn’t have a moral class nor moral teachers; they only had Pendidikan Islam, and yeah, I did okay; I never failed it or anything. But when it came to SPM, the teachers suddenly told me that I had to take Moral, and I wasn’t ready for that!
[Image taken from a video interview by the author, Mushamir]
So, in the end, I was forced to take Moral as a subject. I studied it all by myself, and they even sent me to some Moral courses to do Moral studies.
Child Of Different Cultures and Identities
I’m both Swiss and Malaysian. I grew up in Malaysia most of my life, but I keep most of the Swiss culture, like speaking Swiss at home with my family and definitely eating a lot of Swiss food and not really eating spicy food. But I’m very used to the Malaysian lifestyle, so I think it’s a balance of both.
My parents got divorced long ago, and I grew up mostly with my mom, who is Swiss.
[Image taken from a video interview by the author, Mushamir]
[Image taken from a video interview by the author, Mushamir]
I think it’s important for both parents to teach their own culture or language to their kids so that they can be close to both sides of the family.
Inspired To Make A Film About Migration And Fitting Into A New Society
I have always loved watching movies since I was young, and I knew that I wanted to work somehow in the movie industry. What I always saw on screen were the actors, so I’ve always wanted to become an actress. That’s why I signed up for a diploma in Performing Arts but after I started studying, I realised that I liked being behind the camera; I liked crafting the stories.
[Image taken from a video interview by the author, Mushamir]
[Image taken from a video interview by the author, Mushamir]
I don’t wish that I were full Swiss or full Chinese, or even that I were mixed. To me, that honestly doesn’t matter; it’s just what you make of yourself.
Current Dilemma?
I’ve been struggling recently with deciding whether I should move to Switzerland to try working there and see what life would be like.
It’s mostly a struggle because I’ve already built my life and have most of my friends here. I know how things work in Malaysia. So, it would be a big step and a big change for me to move there.
[Image taken by the author, Mushamir Mustafa]
To me, home will forever be Malaysia. Hatiku di Malaysia.
[Image taken from a video interview by the author, Mushamir]
For more stories like this, read:
The Non-Muslim’s Guide To Understanding The Concept & History Of Halal In Malaysia
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