Calm, quiet, and closeness—these three impactful words are what I would choose to characterise the sacred month of Ramadan. As Muslims, we have long understood the source of this peace: this is the time we’d go back to our fitrah (innate nature), to worship our Creator and hope to receive rewards for our righteous deeds. A much-needed time for quietness for the betterment of our spirits. For some, Ramadan comes just in time when their heavy hearts yearn for it the most.
“I always strive for peace. The sense of calm—during Ramadan—is invaluable. It’s something money can’t buy. Ramadan resonates deeply with my heart, where the connection to the Creator and the Holy Book is truly sacred,” says Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor during our interview. It was a Thursday, and we’re sitting on a couch after the photoshoot, while the crew was wrapping up around us. Earlier, she had arrived at the studio greeting everyone with her radiant, positive energy. “Ramadan isn’t solely about abstaining from food or drink; you must strive for more. The goal is to become calmer and a better person,” Neelofa adds sweetly.
She was right. Growing up, I had observed those close to me making a conscious effort to improve themselves during the sacred month. They would go to great lengths to embody qualities of godliness. But younger me could not fully grasp the concept of it. Not until a few years ago during the pandemic and Ramadan 2020, when I was scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon a news report that read: ‘Neelofa Launches Telegram Account Aims To Share Knowledge’. Without hesitation, I signed up and Neelofa’s messages flooded in within minutes, offering book recommendations, a long list of Duas’ (prayers), and information related to faith.
Caught in a moment of awe, I whispered to myself, “If I grow and improve in faith, I would owe it to this woman.” But that’s the beauty of Ramadan, isn’t it? It has the power to touch hearts unexpectedly, igniting a newfound strength.
“Ramadan isn’t solely about abstaining from food or drink; you must strive for more. The goal is to become calmer and a better person”
Fast forward to now, here I am: a hijabi. And Ramadan is once again approaching. Reflecting on my previous lack of confidence and empathy in the workplace, I ask if Neelofa had ever experienced similar feelings. “Working in this industry while remaining steadfast in your faith is hard. Oh, trust me, when I first started practising, my thoughts were always ‘What would they think of me’, or the typical, ‘You’re too extreme’ comments. But if you knew the reward of staying true to your beliefs, these opinions won’t affect you in the slightest.”
Muslim or not, there is always an ongoing pressure to keep up with society’s rules and standards. And as hijabis, there’s an added struggle to blend in with a mostly non-religious environment. We are underrepresented and often portrayed in a limited and stereotypical manner. But Neelofa—better known as Lofa—is always unafraid to embody the essence of a devout Muslimah. She is a source of pride for Malaysia, tirelessly championing her cause when it comes to this regard.
From founding her renowned Naelofar brand and earning a coveted spot in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 list, Neelofa has continued to create history by becoming the first Malaysian hijabi celebrity to grace Milan Fashion Week. She was also later selected as Lancome’s first ambassador for the Southeast Asian region, breaking barriers as the first hijabi to do so.
Her secret to success? It lies in just one thing. Surround yourself with people who uplift and empower.
“Especially in Kuala Lumpur, there are many challenges that could slow down our pace […] as we have so many distractions. So surround yourself with people who would contribute to your personal growth. If you want to become better in faith, sit with knowledgeable people. The people you choose to be around will impact your whole aura.” I nodded empathically, agreeing with her. She continues in a convincing tone, “I am not saying to throw all your bad friends in the ditch, but, maintain a healthy distance.”
“How can you expect personal growth and learning if you continuously expose your soul to negative energy? Learn to set boundaries.”
Balancing the roles of a thriving businesswoman, wife, mother of two, and numerous other duties, I go on to ask how she fulfils all these expectations while proudly carrying the image of a ‘confident Muslimah’. She straightforwardly said, “Reflection.”
“Whatever you choose to see or hear plays a role in your heart. Look in the mirror and ask whether you like what you see in the reflection […] If you know how to filter your surroundings, you will win in life. I make sure to filter my social media—who to follow, who to unfollow and who to mute—this helps.” She then continues to emphasise on the importance of not succumbing to challenges and struggles, no matter what position you’re in.
Yet, it seems many of us frequently find ourselves in such situations, don’t we? Especially these days where struggles and obstacles seem to lurk around every corner. For this, in a gentle voice, she assures me, “My advice to young women is not to just understand what you learn, but apply it. When we work on perfecting ourselves, we simultaneously perfect our surroundings. […] You need to control what you see, what you hear, and who to take advice from. How can you expect personal growth and learning if you continuously expose your soul to negative energy? Learn to set boundaries. Let go of a few bad habits. If you haven’t, start now. Ramadan is coming,” she jokes.
Agreeing to her point, I mentally noted that this could be my pivotal upshot. For too long, I struggled to keep up with my ‘Ramadan Resolution’. We all need to set strong boundaries and let go of a few bad habits, indeed.
Originating from the Arabic term Ramidha: Ramadan means ‘heat’. This ‘heat’ can be understood in two distinct ways. One refers to the scorching hot weather, and two, it symbolises the burning away of misdeeds. The month provides us an opportunity to detach ourselves from the world and to reconnect with our spirituality and faith. But the goal isn’t about changing yourself overnight, but rather to choose our battles wisely and initiate small changes. A message that calls to people of all backgrounds, faiths and beliefs—no matter where or who you might be.
For this, I asked Neelofa about her favourite thing to improve on and prioritise during the month, in which she quickly replied, “It’s always tadabbur Quran.” Her brown eyes beamed with excitement. “It’s the one thing I have always looked out for the most when Ramadan comes. When it comes to finding a way to connect to the divine light, and understand yourself, you must earn it through your own journey. When you learn about your Creator, you learn about yourself.”
At this point, I began to notice that the more she opened up about her relationship with faith, the more she shone through. Truth is, there aren’t many people on this earth that I can naturally converse with regarding faith, and unsurprisingly, Noor Neelofa is one of them.
“I want to be remembered not only as a representation of a confident Muslim woman but also as someone who contributes to the betterment of others.”
The clock struck 2pm, with the cloudy weather outside hinting at impending rain, but my conversation with the former MeleTop host carried on at a rapid pace. I touched on her transition into motherhood, and asked about any alterations in her Ramadan routine compared to life before marriage. “I’m still navigating the waters of motherhood,” she confessed. “But to be honest, nothing changes. My routine is still the same, I would wake up for suhoor, and start my ibadah right away. The fact that my husband has a small appetite is quite beneficial,” she laughed. “He would have his dates and a glass of water, and that’s it!”
She acknowledged her role as a mother and wife which has made her more cautious in all aspects of life. “People always assume that I intentionally do things to become the centre of attention. I just wish they would realise that I would never act with the intention of provoking a reaction. As a mother, my priority is to protect my children, and there is nothing more important to me.” Always speaking gently and choosing her words cautiously, one would immediately notice how being a mother has softened her demeanour.
“When certain things occur, the first thing I would do is to sit in a quiet place and ask myself ‘How did this happen? What led to this situation?’. I would seek advice from family and friends. If the outcome were, ‘Welp, I was the root cause for this to happen’, then I will take that as a valuable lesson to be learned.” When speaking about her two boys, the 35-year-old beauty becomes slightly emotional; a mother’s love shining through her gaze. Tenderly, she shared, “I want my children to understand the significance of manners. I want them to mature into individuals who prioritise their manners. If I can raise my sons to be good people, benefiting both in religion and in this world, that would be my ultimate achievement.”
Whether she noticed it or not, our half-hour conversation was her feeding good advice to my senses. Her aura remains constant, exuding light and positive energy from head to toe. As someone who has witnessed her growth and redemption in various aspects, I had to ask her about her aspirations. What does she want to be remembered as? She took a deep breath, calculating her thoughts.
“Despite all the controversies and labels thrown at me, I aspire to be remembered not only as a representation of a confident Muslim woman but also as someone who contributes to the betterment of others. I want to be one of those individuals who, despite the chaos of this world, remains a beacon of light for others. A figure who imparts divine discipline, consistency, and unwavering determination to those around me.”
Her words pierced through me. I think I have found my Ramadan purpose for this year. ‘To be an individual—despite the chaos of this world—remains a beacon of light for others’. People will talk and criticise but your reward is not for the people, it is for your own self-betterment. In a time where it’s easy to get lost in worldly desires and materialism, strive for self-discipline, steadfastness, and unwavering kindness.
“I want my children to understand the significance of manners. If I can raise my sons to be good people, benefiting both in religion and in this world, that would be my ultimate achievement.”
We’ve finished speaking, the studio was quiet with the equipment neatly packed away by the crew. Rising to our feet, I said my final ‘thank you’ to which she embraced me in her arms, and her early words echoing through my ears. “Faith helps to strengthen my character. And when it comes to that, you need to be unapologetic.” If only she realised the impact she has played for young women like myself. I prayed that she would always retain her Noor, her divine light.
As we enter the most awaited month in the Islamic calendar, this conversation with Neelofa has been more than just timely. It serves as a reminder to remain steadfast, despite the challenges and difficulties that come your way; if you cling to your inner light, your Noor, you can overcome anything. Now, Bismillah.
Featured Image: Neelofa wears long jacket and pleated skirt by Fiziwoo.
Assisted By: Hanan Khair
Art Director: Anson Siau
Sr. Graphic Designer: Mon Kai-Siong
Photographer: Delvin Xian
Photographer Assistant: Dave & Danial
Special thanks to 3D Artist: Esta Claresta
Fashion Stylist: Min Luna
Assistant: Anastasia
Hijab Stylist: Yaya Ibrahem
Assistant: Fasyaira
Makeup Artist: Leen Zakaria
Videographer: Haoyii
