Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association president Prof Taufiq Yap said the Chinese lantern festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) was celebrated by all as it was a cultural event and had nothing to do with religion.

“In principle, there is nothing obstructing Chinese Muslims from celebrating cultural festivals (such as Chinese New Year and Tang Yuan, the winter solstice festival) which do not go against the tenets of Islam,” he told The Star newspaper.

Chinese Muslims also took part in Cheng Beng, the tomb-sweeping festival where Chinese families clean the graves of ancestors. “However, we abstain from rituals such as offering incense as that involves faith,” said Taufiq who became a Muslim 33 years ago.

He said more people were now aware that conversion to Islam did not mean giving up one’s cultural upbringing. State religious departments were also more understanding about issues like retaining a convert’s birth name.

Taufiq said the association would support members who wanted to study Islam so that sermons could be conducted in Mandarin one day.

Tonight’s lantern festival is at Masjid Muhammadiah, which Taufiq said was not solely for Chinese Muslims. “We encourage others to pray here and in the process learn about our community.”

Taufiq, 48, is a chemistry professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia. He embraced Islam in 1983, while in Form Four.

Taufiq said it was not easy trying to retain his communal links after his conversion as traditional Muslims said he should not use chopsticks or speak Mandarin and that he should eat with his hands. “But I continued to carry on with my traditional lifestyle despite the criticisms,’’ he was quoted as saying.