Feeling ‘reborn’ as a Muslim, ex-Playboy bunny insists on keeping Chinese name
BY SHERIDAN MAHAVERA
Published: 3 July 2014



Felixia Yeap, the former Playboy bunny who announced last Friday that she was embracing Islam, said she felt “born again” on her birthday today when her conversion would be made official.

The 28-year-old, however, said she would fight to keep her Chinese name given by her mother.

"My Chinese name means tranquility and elegance," said Yeap, who said she would take the Islamic declaration of faith in front of family members and close friends.

“Today is not just my birthday, but also the day that I am born again. The day that I finally return after 28 years of finding the way home,” wrote Yeap in her soul-baring posting this morning.

Yeap said her conversion was the result of a seven-month quest to learn about Islam, after she took to wearing the hijab, a decision which attracted criticism from her fans.

“From the moment I pledged to wear the hijab, even though I was not a Muslim at heart, until this moment (July 3, 6am) where I am a Muslim at heart who only waits for the official pronouncement, I have gone through many trials and tribulations,” said the Ipoh-born former kindergarten teacher, who once worked at The Playboy club in Macau.

Yeap, saying she had persevered months of insults and alienation because of her decision, however, paid tribute to her mother who she said bravely endured sarcasm from their relatives.

“She did not object (to it), in fact she gave her blessings when I told her that I was learning about Islam and intended to embrace the faith.

“Many converts are disowned by their families for making the same decision. Some of them hide their identities as Muslims from their family members for fear of being alienated and disowned,” she wrote.

She said when she asked her mother why she supported her decision, her mother had replied in Cantonese, "Sang seng jor lor, dai gor nui la... kwai jor hou dor" (You are grown up already, more mature ... a good girl).

“My mother smiled and I fought back my tears,” said Yeap, who also said the support and her own "stubbornness" helped her get through negative remark hurled at her.

“I admit, there were times I felt crushed and defeated.

But I firmly stood my ground and did not take off my hijab. I continued my struggle.”

When the story of her love for the Muslim head dress made headlines in December last year, many of Yeap’s 148,000 fans left her Facebook page, accusing her of a publicity stunt.

Some non-Muslims, said Yeap, had said she was doing it to marry “a rich Datuk”.

But Yeap told The Malaysian Insider last year that she could have found a rich husband a long time ago through her successful modeling career.

Of her past, Yeap said it made her realise how some considered hedonism and materialism as happiness.

“Most of the people around me judged their happiness based on their boyfriends' wealth, the happening parties they went, or how they were happy as long as they got drunk, and how much money they could scalp from their boyfriends.

“Most hungered for wealth and they searched for it without caring for their dignity.

“But for me, that was not the wealth that I longed for. For what is the point of being wealthy when your life feels empty, meaningless and drowned in sin. That is not the happiness I seek.”

Yeap, who started modeling in 2005, had bagged top prizes in a slew of contests and pageants.

She first broke the news of her conversion in front of some 2,000 people at an event ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Shah Alam, last Friday. – July 3, 2014.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/feeling-reborn-as-new-muslim-ex-playboy-bunny-insists-on-keeping-chinese-na

An earlier report

Ex-Playboy bunny says she’s embracing Islam on July 3



A former Playboy bunny and model, Felixia Yeap, whose interest in the hijab drew intense media attention late last year, yesterday announced that she was embracing Islam this Ramadan.

The 28-year-old, speaking at a programme in Shah Alam in conjunction with the Islamic holy month which begins tomorrow, said she would officially recite the Muslim declaration of faith on July 3, which is her birthday, adding that the fifth day of Ramadan was Prophet Muhammad's favourite date.

Speaking in front of a 2,000-strong audience, Yeap said some of her friends have started to avoid her.

"My friends have distanced themselves from me, thinking that I wear the hijab to become a Malay, but the fact is I am attracted to Islam," she said, adding that she has support from her parents, especially her mother.

Yeap would announce her Muslim name later, saying she preferred not to reveal the place where she would recite the shahadah or oath taken by a new Muslim.

The Ipoh-born, saying she faced a huge challenge in observing the fasting month because of her gastritis, said she had bought dates which were traditionally served for breaking of fast in Ramadan.

Last year, Felixia told The Malaysian Insider of the criticism she received after donning the hijab.

“They say I did this to find a rich Malay datuk to marry. If I wanted to find a rich man, I would have done it a long time ago when I was still modelling in sexy poses. Their criticism defied logic. All I wanted to do was to cover up more and do more decent modelling," she said.

A former kindergarten teacher, Yeap started modelling in 2005 when she entered the Dewi Remaja contest organised by a magazine and became one of its finalists.

She then joined many beauty pageants and at the peak of her career, she was invited to be a Playboy bunny and worked at its club in Macau. – June 28, 2014.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ex-playboy-bunny-says-shes-embracing-islam-on-july-3

Congratulations to her. It is quite a transition, May Allah guide her ways and ours too.

At least she kept her cultural name. Good for her

Unlike some people we know who think that Arabic names are "islamic" and oly names

Gud 4 her, its her decision to make, she's all grown up

Welcome back to the religion of Abraham,moses, jacob,joseph,jesus and muhammad.

The.Big.Urban:
At least she kept her cultural name. Good for her

Unlike some people we know who think that Arabic names are "islamic" and oly names

That's the difference between a Chinese and an African. While they modify their religion to suit their culture, we in this part of the world change our culture to suit our religion.

Afam4eva:
That's the difference between a Chinese and an African. While they modify their religion to suit their culture, we in this part of the world change our culture to suit our religion.

Change of name is not a religious requirement in Islam unless the name has negative meanings.

tbaba1234:
Change of name is not a religious requirement in Islam unless the name has negative meanings.

It's not about what ut is in islam but about what people make it out to be. They feel it makes them more Islamic to bear an Arabic name than say a Yoruba or Hausa name.

Alhamdulillah for her. I pray that Allah strengthens her imaan and grant her the support she needs.

people that accept Islam leave after a year or two ask Mike Tyson, loon , Janet Jackson etc

kuss: people that accept Islam leave after a year or two ask Mike Tyson, loon , Janet Jackson etc

Tyson, Loon and Janet Jackson are still muslims

putting on the Hijab takes a lot of courage....a whole lot!!!...may Allah bless her and make it easy for her.

May Allah see her through. Stay bless.

ma sha Allah. ma sha Allah.

This is always the case for those that genuinely explore Islam. Put aside all prejudice and do it with a neutral mind with the sole aim of finding the truth and you shall discover the religion of Allah to be a religion of peace in contrast to the image being painted by the "muslims" and other adversaries of Allah (swt).

kuss: people that accept Islam leave after a year or two ask Mike Tyson, loon , Janet Jackson etc

please, borrow a life. u are just so ignorant, Google can be ur best friend also Wikipedia. No Offense.

kuss: people that accept Islam leave after a year or two ask Mike Tyson, loon , Janet Jackson etc

loon?? you just had to display your ignorance #MustYouTalk?!

Afam4eva:
That's the difference between a Chinese and an African. While they modify their religion to suit their culture, we in this part of the world change our culture to suit our religion.

any culture which goes against the tenets of islaam must be discarded.

dragnet:
any culture which goes against the tenets of islaam must be discarded.

So much for tolerance

The.Big.Urban:



So much for tolerance

it's either you don't understand the concept or you're merely being mischievous.

dragnet:
any culture which goes against the tenets of islaam must be discarded.

Tenets of Saudi Arabia you meant to say. You're simply substituting your culture and tradition for another man's.

myads890:

Tenets of Saudi Arabia you meant to say. You're simply substituting your culture and tradition for another man's.

If you really posted this, then it's obvious you know next to nothing about what is being discussed and I'd have loved to explain to you but I'd rather not.

dragnet:

If you really posted this, then it's obvious you know next to nothing about what is being discussed and I'd have loved to explain to you but I'd rather not.

You can only explain what you understand

Islam is a tool of personal improvement but not a means of looking down on people. Lupe Fiasco