SEREMBAN: Despite facing negative perception and scepticism, a 64-year-old grandmother has proven she can successfully raise her two Muslim grandchildren.
Jasmine Hawa Abdul Nur, 18, and Roselyn Aisyah Abdul Nur, 16, have been living with their grandmother, V. Chandra, since losing their mother to Covid-19 in 2021.
Chandra, a Hindu, has maintained a close bond with her grandchildren, showing unwavering love despite their religious differences.
"When my grandchildren first moved in with me, many doubted my ability to care for them due to our different religions, and they had to face questions from others, especially their schoolmates," she said.
Chandra has taken steps to understand and respect Islamic practices, especially concerning prayer and halal food.
"I remind them to pray, and I respect their practices. I prepare food for them, making sure it's halal, even though I'm vegetarian."
She recalled how her daughter, who converted to Islam, died in Aug 2021.
"Their father couldn't be found, and they had nowhere to turn. We've always had a good relationship, and they would visit often, especially during festivals," she added.
Jasmine Hawa will continue her studies at the University College MAIWP International next month, while Roselyn Aisyah is in Form Four.
"I've shown that I can raise them, despite our religious differences. I love them without any barriers," she said.
Meanwhile, Zulkifli Muhamed, the patron of the Cakna Rasa Sayang Association, said the association had arranged for Jasmine Hawa to receive RM1,500 assistance for one semester, along with a laptop and monthly financial aid from MAIWP.
"We've been monitoring and helping this family due to the religious differences, and I believe the grandchildren are excelling academically. We have seen Chandra overcoming the negative perceptions," he said.