KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 — Questioned on her allegiance to her new religion, singer Stacy Anam who embraced Islam this year, has defended her video post on Instagram of carollers who sang at her family home in Sabah.
The winner of season six of popular reality TV series Akademi Fantasia who took on the Muslim name Ummu Shaikhah Stacy Anam upon converting in August, said her parents are still Christian and saw no reason to cut herself off from family activities, including their celebrations.
“The reason that I posted the video was simply to share the caroling song with my Christian fans. The carollers came to our home because my parents are Christians. I am perfectly aware of what I am doing, and it should not be made into an issue,” she was quoted as saying by The Borneo Post today.
“We should respect all religions. Since my parents are Christians, there is nothing wrong with carollers coming to our house. It is part of Christmas.”
The 25-year-old was accused of “celebrating” Christmas after sharing a video excerpt of carollers on her Instagram account @stacyanam singing the classic “O Holy Night”.
The accompanying caption on her Instagram account @stacyanam read: “Christmas carol by TKCC” followed by happy emojis and the hashtags #carolling and #thankyou.
Her post drew over 3,500 “likes” and more than 430 comments at the time of writing.
Stacy said Christmas has always been a part of her family tradition because it is the time when everyone meets and share stories at her parents’ home in Kampung Tuavon, near Penampang.
“Everyone in the family will be singers on Christmas day because we all love singing karaoke. Sometimes, I don’t even have the chance to sing because my sisters and brothers can sing for hours non-stop,” she told The Borneo Post.
Her fiance, Akim Ahmad and his family will also be going to Sabah to celebrate Christmas with her family, she said.
According to a 2010 census, 26.6 per cent of Sabah’s population is Christian and Bumiputera, and regularly worship in the national language.
Controversy over Muslims marking Christmas and even offering greetings to those celebrating the Christian holiday season has been an issue in Muslim-majority Malaysia in recent years.
