Yesterday I attended my co-worker's wedding matrimony at church. I met my other co-workers and I was acquainted with their couple/spouse. Not much exceptional until one of the wives told me that she thought I am a Moslem because of my name. In fact, I am a Chinese decent and I am a Buddhist.
Actually, this was not the first time that someone expects me a Moslem. Once or twice, I reserved a taxi for traveling using my name, when I was about to get in to the taxi, the driver said hastily that I might get in the wrong taxi, and he politely explained that the taxi had already been reserved by someone name Idris. Then, I replied with smile, "That's me." Still half disbelieved for what I said, he started the engine and half apologized.
My name was given by our neighborhood head (ketua RT) at my previous living place. It was still unclear why my father asked from him and it adheres wherever my entire life goes. So does the question, "Why, Dad, why ???" hahah..
I hated my name so much when I was in elementary. I didn't understand why my name is unlike my friends' hilarious name, say that, Alexander, Jason, Michael, or Stephen. Without knowing where my name came from, I just found it embarrassing and became more ashamed when introducing my name to other people. The more ashamed, the lower voice I spoke out my name, and people get more difficult to hear my name clearly. The more difficult people hear my name, the more I get embarrassed to my own name. Yes, I was so pathetic.
And I did questioned my father's ability to create such a cool name, and asked to neighborhood head ? Joke of the life ! and does not even tickle my ribs.
As I am getting older, I realized I could not run anywhere from my name. The only thing I can overcome is to learn my name's origin and to learn how to love my name. It is a Moslem name. Idris is an ancient prophet mentioned in the Qur'an. He is described in the Qur'an as "trustworthy" and "patient". The Qur'an also says that he was "exalted to a high station". Traditionally Idris has been identified with the Biblical Enoch (ancestor of Noah). Therefore, Islamic tradition usually places Idris in the early Generations of Adam, and considers him one of the oldest prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, placing him sometime between Adam and Noah.
See..?? How cool my name is indeed !! I believe that not even many Moslems would have known this.
Though "patient" is definitely not my positive, but at least I have the "patient" part in my name. And it becomes my call to be patient and trustworthy person. Thanks, Dad, for a great name.
Actually, this was not the first time that someone expects me a Moslem. Once or twice, I reserved a taxi for traveling using my name, when I was about to get in to the taxi, the driver said hastily that I might get in the wrong taxi, and he politely explained that the taxi had already been reserved by someone name Idris. Then, I replied with smile, "That's me." Still half disbelieved for what I said, he started the engine and half apologized.
My name was given by our neighborhood head (ketua RT) at my previous living place. It was still unclear why my father asked from him and it adheres wherever my entire life goes. So does the question, "Why, Dad, why ???" hahah..
I hated my name so much when I was in elementary. I didn't understand why my name is unlike my friends' hilarious name, say that, Alexander, Jason, Michael, or Stephen. Without knowing where my name came from, I just found it embarrassing and became more ashamed when introducing my name to other people. The more ashamed, the lower voice I spoke out my name, and people get more difficult to hear my name clearly. The more difficult people hear my name, the more I get embarrassed to my own name. Yes, I was so pathetic.
And I did questioned my father's ability to create such a cool name, and asked to neighborhood head ? Joke of the life ! and does not even tickle my ribs.
As I am getting older, I realized I could not run anywhere from my name. The only thing I can overcome is to learn my name's origin and to learn how to love my name. It is a Moslem name. Idris is an ancient prophet mentioned in the Qur'an. He is described in the Qur'an as "trustworthy" and "patient". The Qur'an also says that he was "exalted to a high station". Traditionally Idris has been identified with the Biblical Enoch (ancestor of Noah). Therefore, Islamic tradition usually places Idris in the early Generations of Adam, and considers him one of the oldest prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, placing him sometime between Adam and Noah.
See..?? How cool my name is indeed !! I believe that not even many Moslems would have known this.
Though "patient" is definitely not my positive, but at least I have the "patient" part in my name. And it becomes my call to be patient and trustworthy person. Thanks, Dad, for a great name.