Parallel to this, as trade increased between China and Malaysia, many Muslim traders from the Mainland came to try new markets and in quest of new partners; and in general, were satisfied with their Malay Muslim counterparts. As word spread in Muslim communities in China about the accommodating reception in this modern, progressive Muslim country, there followed streams of more Muslim traders, Muslim art and culture groups, Muslim martial arts and Chinese medicine specialists. Some of them came and went, many wished to stay for a longer period. What is important is that almost all of them, when they went back, tried to encourage young Muslim Chinese students to choose Malaysian Islamic Institutions of higher learning to pursue further studies in different fields, in a modern Islamic environment.
It is not difficult to see why Malaysia has become the preferred destination for Chinese Muslim students. First, this is a Muslim country, and at the same time offering many aspects of Chinese life and culture. As Mandarin is widely spoken here, it is easy for them to communicate, make friends, and also find short term or part time work to supplement their limited scholarship. The moderate cost of living and comparatively cheaper school fees makes studying in Malaysia more attractive than western countries for education in English medium. The use of English in IIU and other Islamic institutions besides Arabic is one factor to their advantage. Another reason for their preference in coming to Malaysia is the progressive approach of Islam in the learning environment as compared to Universities in the Middle East or Egypt, and of course it is nearer to home.
The shortest time each of the students stay would be at least 5 to 6 years. One to two years to learn English / Arabic / Malay, and four years at least for a degree course. Some of them, after obtaining their first degree apply for postgraduate studies. This means at least another two years. There are also a few who do their doctorate at ISTAC after their first degrees in other Islamic countries. While studying here for long years, many of them married with their fellow Muslim compatriots and set up families; a few married local Malays, or, Chinese who converted to Islam.
In recent years, when the Islamic University put a limit to students they would accept from China, some Muslim families also started to apply to private colleges. Today the Chinese Muslim students in Malaysia, most of them of Hui origin, number about 50 to 60. The number may seem small, but their presence in the campus, at the markets, on public transports, in shopping malls, and assemblies, with the very distinct Hui look and unmistakable Muslim attire and comportment, has made an impact among the local Chinese and Malays as well. Chinese Muslims are not a rarity or an oddity anymore for Malaysian public. One of them commented: “When I first came here, people would look at me with surprise. A Chinese in Muslim attire? Now, even the taxi drivers are used to seeing us and they ask a lot of questions about Muslims in China, and are happy to know more about us.”
Some of these students have been recruited to appear on Islamic programmes televised in Mandarin over various TV stations. Pusat Islam has a special budget for these Mandarin programmes. The person responsible for this department, Hajjah Mariam Ma, combines her deep knowledge on Islam with her fluency in Mandarin and Malay, to produce interesting programmes for the benefit of the Mandarin speaking Chinese community in Malaysia. Some other Muslim students from China may also have temporary part-time work with religious institutions such as REISAP or PERKIM; they are also often seen at various functions held by associations such as DarulFitrah, bringing a different face to the local Muslim scene.
Each student may stay here an average of 6 to 10 years. But there will always be continuity. For Malaysians who see them around, they are not identified as an individual, but, as Chinese Muslim. This presence and continuity should be encouraged by the Malaysian government, the learning institutions, and the public. In a way, it helps to bridge the gap between Chinese and Malays. It shows the Chinese that there are Chinese who are born Muslim and to the Malays that there are Muslims who are of Chinese origin. It is also a very real way of showing the universal facet of Islam, which to some degree is still lacking in Malaysia.
Today, these Hui students and some professionals or traders, albeit with a temporary status, seem to be the latest wave of Chinese Muslim presence in Malaysia. But, the majority Chinese Muslims in this country will still be the Chinese converts. They are the Chinese Muslims in Malaysia today.
