Unity Is My Personal Legend

The message of unity inspires me every single day. It is the driving force in my life and the reason I do what I do. Unity is my musical inspiration, my muse, and my personal legend.

This world is a truly beautiful and diverse place.

When we fall in love, we fall for the person they are inside. Race, religion, nationality or distance become irrelevant. And even as we move through life's journey, many of us may be forced apart from our loved ones. Yet love has the power to transcend all boundaries.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all retain the innocence of children, where the color of one's skin, social status, or wealth didn't matter at all? Does growing older have to make us suspicious and intolerant of those different from us?

Unity is love.

As Leonard Bernstein eloquently stated, "This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before."

This is the message I carry in my heart - a message of #EastMeetsWest, #3rdCulture, and the transformative power of unity. It is the driving force behind all that I do, my personal legend that inspires me every single day.

#Unity

The Beauty of Differences

“The beauty of differences gives birth to the masterpieces of love, and through the masterpieces of love lies the freedom to both worlds.” - Amirah

When a friend informed me about the desecration of churches and mosques in Malaysia on January 7th, 2010, I felt extremely angry, disappointed, and worst of all, helpless. I had been reading about the Kalimah Allah issue for a few days while juggling my university assignments at graduate school overseas. The shock and anger from the news made me forget about the horrible freezing winter. As I started to think about my beloved Tanahair, I asked myself, “God, why?”

To me, Malaysia is like a beautiful hidden treasure in the deep sea. It has so much potential. It has so much richness and opportunity but is also filled with many “eggshells” that one must carefully tread around, especially about religion and race.

Growing up in Malaysia, I wondered why I did not feel at home despite living my entire life there. As a child, I was convinced that something was wrong with me. I could not talk to anyone about my thoughts. When I sought guidance from my teachers, I was scolded for asking certain questions and expressing certain opinions. However, as an adult at graduate school overseas, I discovered there are many people that shared my thoughts and ideas. The same questions I was discouraged from asking in Tanahair are commonly discussed as part of university courses where students were expected to answer by thinking critically. For the first time in my life, I felt I was normal. It was then I realized the answer; it was because I could not be myself in Malaysia.

As I learned more about the desecration of houses of worship in Tanahair, I felt a great urge to do something about it. I did not want to feel helpless anymore. I wanted to express my emotions and thoughts about the issue, although it was a difficult thing for me to do, as a quiet and private person. I thought of writing something but nothing sounded right. I felt like giving up many times. Yet I asked myself: why is this happening, what does this mean, do words define God, do words define who I am … are words how people define themselves?

As I thought about the Creator’s beautiful creations, I felt a sudden feeling of calmness. I started composing a song in Malay. In the song, I asked the questions that I felt were on the minds of the Malaysian people. After finishing it a few minutes later, I recorded it and wondered how I could share this song with other Malaysians. I did not have a Youtube account at that time and realizing that Youtube only accepted videos, I felt nervous at the thought that everybody would be able to see my face. I asked myself, “If expressing my thoughts and opinions on this issue would ruin my songwriting career, a career that I am trying so hard to do, a career that has barely started, would I still do this?” The answer was a resounding “Yes”. I went ahead and uploaded the video to share the song with my friends and family.

A few days later Bernama TV News called at 2:00 am to interview me about the song. To my surprise, many people supported the message of my song. I also found out from a friend that Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, the daughter of Malaysia’s ex-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, mentioned the song in her article written for The Star newspaper. For the first time, I did not feel alone anymore knowing that many other Malaysians shared similar thoughts with me.

My aspiration for Malaysia is for all Malaysians to have freedom – freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom as an adult to marry whomever they love. Most of all, I aspire for each Malaysian to have equal rights regardless of one’s race whether it is Indian, Kadazan, Chinese, Malay, Dayak, or mixed-parentage like me.

Read the full article here: https://www.loyarburok.com/2013/01/06/katakanlah/

#Unity

Interview: From Purpose to Impact

‘Never setting any boundary before her art...Amirah aligns purpose and impact in a greatly versatile way. Her calls for unity and peace come with perfect timing...”

Thank you for the thoughtful write-up and the opportunity to discuss my music. You captured the deep passion and purpose that inspires my artistic journey.

#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity

My First Podcast Interview!

I had such a great time speaking to TL Mazumdar and being a guest on his podcast. It was a wonderful opportunity to share my artistic vision and passion for using music to bridge cultural divides.

#3rdCulture, #EastMeetsWest #Unity

A Full Circle Moment I Never Expected

I never thought I would see this come full circle in my lifetime.

I had initially planned to be a songwriter for other artists. But due to a twist of fate, I changed paths to become a singer-songwriter. The reason has to do with my strong belief in freedom of religion for all.

I believe that everybody should be able to freely practice their faith, religion and beliefs. I feel this beautiful and should be celebrated and respected.

Nobody should be forced to convert simply because of who they love and want to marry. And anyone should be allowed to leave a religion they do not feel aligned with, peacefully and with dignity.

When I composed "Katakanlah" in 2010, it was because I wanted to voice that everyone should be free to practice their religion and faith peacefully, with dignity and respect. I was saddened that something so beautiful, like recognizing that God is one, turned into a tool for separation and violence.

This compelled me to write "Katakanlah."

And that changed the trajectory of my career - from songwriter to singer-songwriter, with the encouragement of my newfound fans.

As the battle went on in the Malaysian courts. I was heartbroken. But 10 years later, to my surprise, I found that this rule has now been overturned. Who would have thought the reason I composed "Katakanlah" would come full circle in my lifetime?

To all Malaysians, we all deserve a place in our Tanahair, equally, as free and respected citizens.

Let's keep inspiring unity together.

Read the full article here: https://www.loyarburok.com/2013/01/06/katakanlah/

#Unity

Thank You, Ulises

I am deeply moved by your powerful message. We need unity now more than ever before. To unity and beyond.

“If there's one thing we all can learn from AMIRAH, it's that no matter how rigorous or unforgiving this world can be we can still strive to become something more ambitious and greater than who we are today. We all come from different walks of life. Some of us come from South America, Malaysia, Europe, even those who are new to this group are from places where there's no such thing as a utopian society. In this group everyone is welcome. It doesn't matter if you have light skin or dark skin. We are here because we have one thing in common and that is to love our brothers and sisters. We will always welcome our comrades and treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve. That is the dream we all have in our hearts. We will make sure that AMIRAH'S dreams will become a reality. She started this crusade with a purpose. It's our turn to make sure that her dreams are alive and well. We are her heart and soul and we will be there for her in this life and the next. TO UNITY AND PROSPERITY.”

#3rdCulture #Unity

Love is Our Birthright

Many of my songs touch on intercultural and interfaith relationships. Just as I believe that creating hybrid music helps foster unity, I also believe that love between people of diverse backgrounds accomplishes the same goal.

I get teary-eyed with joy when I see people of different cultural and religious identities come together, putting aside their differences to celebrate one another. I love witnessing how their multicultural children learn to respect and appreciate the diversity of cultures, often becoming fluent in multiple languages. I'm also in awe of how the blending of ethnic groups can produce such beautiful, unique features both physically and culturally.

I've seen firsthand the challenges that interfaith and intercultural couples face due to family or societal disapproval - and it breaks my heart every single time.

The freedom to love should be a universal birthright, not a privilege.

Love should unite us, not separate us.

Similar to music, I believe that love has the power to transcend all borders and bring us together.

I firmly believe that interfaith and intercultural relationships have the potential to create profound unity. We should be encouraging and celebrating these unions, not discouraging them. There is no place for forced religious or gender conversion in this day and age.

Love is love, and unity is love - and we need a lot more of it.

Everyone should have the freedom to love and be loved, regardless of culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, class, or economic status. The freedom to love is our birthright. Antiquated laws and societal pressures should not dictate whom we can give our hearts to.

Love is our birthright.

#3rdCulture #Unity #Vulnerable

An Interview: A Message of Unity Through Music

If there was ever a time in our modern history when we need unity, it is now. In our politically, culturally, and physically divided world, it can be easy to retreat to our tribes, and often for good reason. But there is also plenty of space for messages about unity to remind us of the common good among us as human beings.

Malaysian musician Amirah is an artist who believes in the message of unity wholeheartedly and is using her talents to spread that message wherever she can. The award-winning singer/songwriter grew up in Malaysia and blends traditional Eastern sounds with more modern Western pop music, showing unity through the medium of music.

Both of her latest singles 'You Are My Land' and 'Tell Me' are cinematic in scope with luscious live strings and modern pop drums. Originally composed in Malay, her music explores faith, freedom, and the endless search for meaning for who we truly are as a people. Amirah's lyrics speak specifically to women of color who fight for their dreams, as she confidently creates her inspired music and stays loyal to her heritage.

We spoke with Amirah to go deeper into some of these themes and learn more about her music, her background, and her message.

Tell us about your journey into music – where did it all start for you?

I was a very introverted child growing up. I gravitated toward my grandfather's old piano, which he had bought for my mother when she expressed interest in learning to play. Eventually, my mother enrolled me in piano lessons, which I am eternally grateful for. I started composing small piano pieces as a child, and later picked up the cello, an instrument I have grown to deeply adore. Over time, I became a songwriter, composing songs for other artists and various projects.

One day, a song I had composed and sung myself, a piece calling for unity, caught the attention of the national news in Malaysia. Due to this unexpected turn of events, I was encouraged to start singing and performing my own original songs.

Growing up in an Indian and Malaysian family you have been influenced by cross-cultural influences. Can you tell us how that defined your sound and you as an artist?

I am very proud of my biracial heritage. Growing up in the melting pot of cultures that is Malaysia definitely shaped my sound and who I am as an artist. I was exposed to both Malay and Indian cultures at home, and I learned to deeply appreciate, understand and love them both. The music, language, dance, and fusion of foods in Malaysia are absolutely extraordinary. There is nowhere else I have seen where a person can experience such incredible diversity and blending of traditions in a single nation.

However, this richness of cultural influences also raised many questions for me regarding my own identity. How could I embrace both my modern sensibilities and my deep cultural roots? Why did I have to choose between them? This sparked my journey of experimenting and fusing traditional Eastern instruments into my cinematic pop music. It was a way for me to authentically express the full breadth of my artistic and personal identity.

You are also an activist who wants to give greater representation for women of color especially. What are some of the causes you are passionate about?

I am a feminist, and have been since I was a child, almost by default. I have always questioned everything. Being unfairly treated due to my gender damaged my self-esteem for a very long time. I remember telling a relative that I wanted to be a doctor, only to be told that if I did, I would be too old to get married and no man would want me. Some of my school teachers even told me I was too dark-skinned, which they equated with being ugly, and they asked me to stay away from the sun. I was also taught to be ashamed of my body as a woman. It was a very lonely experience, not having anyone to discuss these topics with, and never meeting anyone who shared a similar mindset as a child and teenager.

However, I have now grown to deeply love my beautiful skin color and my body. I look up to Zainah Anwar, a Malaysian female activist, whose articles I loved reading as a teenager. They gave me a glimpse of hope that there were other people out there who thought like me.

Tell us about your latest singles “You Are My Land” and “Tell Me”. What are the messages behind them? 

I was literally in tears when I composed "You Are My Land" on the piano. The song is an expression of my deep love for my country, Malaysia, and the pain I feel in watching it be torn apart by power, greed and corruption. I also thought about people from other countries who have had to flee their homelands due to war. With the worldwide pandemic and so many people being uprooted and displaced, I feel that the message of this song will resonate strongly. I have been very touched by the positive, heartfelt responses and comments I've received from people all around the world.

"Tell Me" is the English version of my song "Katakanlah", which poses the question of who we truly are. Are we defined by our name? Our face? With the urgent call for racial equality and unity, I believe it is critical for people to start asking these important questions. Why do we hurt others simply because of the color of their skin or their religious beliefs? When we hurt others, we only end up harming ourselves, and humanity and the planet pay a devastating price. During times of pain and division, it's important for us to realize that we are not alone. Sometimes, that realization alone can be the start of the healing process, allowing us to unite and work towards a better future.

How do you balance wanting to stay true to your heritage with the often narrow confines of the music industry and what is considered “pop music”? 

Balancing my desire to stay true to my heritage with the often narrow confines of the music industry has been an ongoing challenge, and one I grapple with in many ways. There was a time when I couldn't even listen to the radio for several years because of this conflict.

However, the rise of the internet has been a game-changer. More and more artists are now able to express our true creative visions musically without being pigeonholed into specific genres. Genre boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred, and alternative sounds are gaining greater acceptance.

The world is our audience now, not just a particular geographic location. I work incredibly hard to stay faithful to my own artistic vision and not let genre classifications dictate how my music should sound.

I understand the practical need for genres when it comes to music distribution and discovery. But those categories should not be allowed to influence the artistic creation process itself. I ask myself every day to ensure I am always serving the music first, and never shortchanging my creative vision.

Your lyrics explore faith, freedom, and the need to find meaning. Can you share more about this, and why it has become an important part of your music?

I've always had a curious mind since I was a child. I questioned everything, because freedom is extremely important to me. Personally, I've turned to songwriting as a means of expression during my loneliest, most isolated, and painful times - the times when I felt misunderstood and didn't belong. It is through the act of songwriting that I am able to express my pain, my struggles, and my deepest truths. Sometimes I feel that music is the only thing that truly understands me.

Who are some of your musical heroes, and why? 

Some of my musical heroes include Jacqueline du Pré, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Anoushka Shankar, Yo-Yo Ma, and Tan Sri P. Ramlee. Each of them has endured immense personal challenges in their lives, some of them extremely tragic.

Ryuichi Sakamoto, in particular, is one of my favorite composers. I greatly admire how he endured and defeated throat cancer, never giving up on his "personal legend" and always striving for greatness.

I also have a deep admiration for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, for creating The Silk Road Ensemble as a means of spreading a message of unity through music. And I'm in awe of Anoushka Shankar's courageous collaborations and her work in breaking down barriers as a female sitarist.

None of these artists gave up on their dreams, even in the face of adversity. They have all inspired me with their resilience and dedication to their craft.

We live in such a divided country, and world. How do you hope to unite people with your music? 

I always remember what my cello teacher said - that music has the power to profoundly alter people's emotions. As musicians, we must remember that we hold a great responsibility when wielding that power. Do we want to create music that promotes harm and conflict? Or do we want to craft music that helps people feel connected and heal?

Music is incredibly powerful because it has the ability to transcend boundaries. There is at least one situation where you can find people with opposing beliefs come together in celebration - at a music concert. During a performance, people seem to forget their cultural and political identities, uniting instead in the magic and spirit of the music. Even if it's only for a night, that shared experience is so meaningful.

Through my music, I hope to pose important questions in people's minds. I want to help them realize that, at our core, we are all the same - we all want the same fundamental things in life. My goal is to use the unifying force of music to bridge divides and bring people together.

What can listeners look forward to next from you?

I am working on releasing a few more songs and completing my full album project. I plan to share a lot of behind-the-scenes content and updates with my audience as that creative process unfolds.

Alongside my music, I have also been designing my own East meets West clothing line, which I'm excited to be releasing soon. Additionally, I'm in the process of creating a miniseries of East meets West-themed YouTube videos that I hope will resonate with my fans.

People can check out my latest creative projects and releases on my website. I'm really looking forward to continuing to share my artistic vision and message of unity through this diverse array of mediums - music, fashion, and video content.

My goal is to use every platform available to me to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.

#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity

An Interview: Bridging Differences Through Songs

“Unity and equality shape my music as these values affect me greatly,” says singer of Malay-Indian parentage.

UNITY is a value close to singer-songwriter Amirah’s heart. It is even reflected in her music.

For this lass of Malay-Indian parentage, assimilation of different races comes naturally.

“As a child, I would hear my father play Hindi songs while my mother played her keroncong music,” she told The Sun in a recent email interview from Los Angeles where she is based.

Her first release, You Are My Land, tells of the pain she feels as Malaysia goes through political challenges. This was followed by Tell Me that questions Malaysians’ identity.

“Values such as unity and equality shape my music because these issues affect me greatly.

“Unity is the driving force in my life and it breaks my heart when I see people hurt or fight each other. Unfortunately, racial polarisation has reared its ugly head,” Amirah said.

“When we focus on our differences, we are divided,” she added.

“However, when we focus on our shared humanity, we see that we are all the same.”

To push her message of unity across, Amirah blends traditional Malaysian sounds with Western pop music.

Amirah began composing music on the piano at the tender age of 11. Her introduction to the gamelan during her teens set her on a path to fuse traditional Asian culture with Western modernity.

Gamelan is a traditional musical form that has its roots in the Malay archipelago.

“It is sad that this beautiful music has been forgotten by the young. It will be a great loss if we do not incorporate it into our culture,” she said.

Her sentiment for her culture and tradition, combined with personal identity issues she faced in the past, led her to embrace her roots.

“When I started writing songs, the big names in the local music scene then were Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Nadeera, Atilia Haron and Alif Satar,” she said.

Amirah attended the annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers conference that eventually led to an introduction to producer Jeff Bova.

“It was like the doors had finally opened for me. Jeff understood my musical concept instantly.

She moved to Los Angeles to record her first album.

The album was scheduled to be released late last year but it was delayed due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the United States.

But for Amirah, the delay was a blessing.

Being autistic, she has trouble functioning with background noises and large crowds.

“With the lockdown to curb the pandemic, there is less noise in my surroundings and there are no crowded places,” she said.

Amirah has come a long way. Just recently, the singer-songwriter reached the semi-finals in the International Songwriting Competition and is a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

She said those who would like to help her release songs that inspire people to unite, could sign up as a member of the Amirah’s Aliens.

#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity

Honored to Have My Music Recognized on the Global Stage

I wanted to share with you an exciting and humbling update: my song "Tell Me" was awarded Finalist in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and "You Are My Land" was awarded Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.

"Tell Me" made it to the top 4 in the Inspirational category. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is a prestigious international annual contest created by Yoko Ono Lennon, and the ISC featured judges such as Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Tom Waits, so I feel incredibly honored and blessed.

To celebrate this achievement, I treated myself to a delicious Nasi Bungkus - a traditional Malaysian rice dish. It was the perfect way to mark this special occasion.

I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has supported my music and encouraged me to keep composing and singing.

A heartfelt thank you to my amazing producer Jeff Bova, the legendary tabla player Satnam Ramgotra, as well as Dave Eggar, Amy Powers and Satoshi Naguchi. Your contributions have been invaluable.

These accolades serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating our beautiful, hypnotic traditional instruments like the tabla, tanpura and gamelan. I'll always do my part to keep these cultural treasures alive through my music.

This recognition is a true honor, and it inspires me to continue using my art as a bridge between cultures, fostering greater understanding and unity.

For those of you that have been following and supporting me from the beginning, you know how important the the message of unity is and always will be to me.

To my Aliens, I am forever grateful for your encouragement. You put the wind in my sails. I have taken these humble steps forward in my musical career because of you.

#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity

World Speech Day: Unity is the Way of the Future

Thank you to World Speech Day Kuala Lumpur and CV+ for the incredible opportunity to speak and share my thoughts on this important topic.

An Interview: Embracing Authenticity and Unity

Hi Amirah.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to interview with me.  Please tell us about yourself? 

Hi Sylvia. My name is Amirah, and I'm a singer-songwriter originally from Malaysia, currently based in Los Angeles. I'm passionate about fusing traditional instruments and Eastern influences into my modern, cinematic sound. At the heart of my music and creative vision is a deep desire to promote unity and bring people together through my art.

Hmmm, how interesting. I took a few minutes to listen to one of your songs, “You Are My Land’ and the tempo and words were just beautiful. You are very talented.  What does success mean to you?

For me, success means being true to myself and fulfilling my calling to unite people through music. It's not about external measures, but about having the freedom to express my authentic self and make a positive impact.

How do you create work-life balance?

I tend to hyperfocus when I'm working, so, for example, whenever I notice the sun setting, it's a good cue for me to stop working for the day. The beautiful colors in the sky during the golden hour helps drag me away from work and go for a walk or hike. I've found that unplugging from digital devices on the weekends and immersing myself in nature, like going for hikes, is essential for me. My morning routine of meditation, journaling, affirmations, and exercise is also very important.

I like that. I think it’s important to disconnect and unwind. I like to sit and be quiet often. It helps to clear my mind. In what way do you give back to your community?

I'm passionate about inspiring unity through my music and voice. I'm also an Autism advocate, and I lead a bi-monthly Asperger's support group online, sharing my own experiences and challenges as an autistic, female singer-songwriter.

What steps do you think are necessary for an entrepreneur who wants to move her business/success to the next level? 

Having a clear vision and a strong 'why' is crucial. It's also important to honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses to avoid burnout and stay focused on what matters most.

I agree. Knowing your why is extremely important. It keeps you focused on what matters. What challenges and opportunities do you see in the present economic environment?

Honestly, this has been one of the best times for me as an independent singer-songwriter. People are so much more open to working remotely. A huge benefit of this is that I don't have to live in the city, which is a life-saver for me, especially since I am an introvert. This suits me perfectly and I am enjoying it!

What books and resources would you recommend to other women in business?

“Lean In”by Sheryl Sandberg, “The Seven Day Weekend” by Ricardo Semler, and “The Effective Executive” by Peter F. Drucker.”

 How do you stay connected in mind, body, and spirit?

My daily meditation routine is essential. Spending time alone and in silence is a necessity for me. If I don't allow myself this time, I cannot think clearly and my senses become overstimulated.

What is your favorite quote to live by?

“When love appears, religion disappears.” – Osho

 What is your power word? Why this word?

Unity. It is the reason I am here on this planet, and it guides everything I do. I believe that bringing people together through my music is my true calling.

What is the most important lesson you learned after entering the music industry? 

Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled and experienced vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.

What advice would you give to beginning singers?  

Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.

This has been awesome, so glad to meet you. 

Likewise. Thanks again, Sylvia.

#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity

Alien in a Neurotypical World: One Aspie's Story of Finding Belonging

Feeling like an alien from another planet. That is how I have always felt my whole life.

I've always felt misunderstood. Not sometimes, but always, and for a long time, I didn't know why.

Growing up, I felt awkward and out of place.

I excelled academically, but I didn't enjoy school. I didn't like crowds or noise. I just didn't fit in. I had a really tough time understanding the people around me. I felt like an alien on another planet.

Books were my constant companion, blocking out the noise, people, and confusion. I carried them everywhere - to family gatherings, the store, school, in the car. With books, I could be myself.

When I finally found out I have Asperger's as an adult, it felt like someone had switched on the lights for me. I felt a huge sense of relief and was finally able to understand and know myself. Although, there were nights where I would cry uncontrollably at the thought that nobody would ever be able to understand me.

I am blessed to have close friends now, and I've also been lucky to meet other Aspie friends who do understand me. It has been a very long journey, but finally, I have come to accept myself for who I am and love myself for me.

"Be your unapologetically weird self." - Chris Sacca

#Unity #Neurodivergent

Embracing Diversity, Forging Unity: Carrying Tunku's Legacy into the Future

Here are some quotes that I liked from Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman:

"We are all Malaysians. This is the bond that unites us. Let us always remember that unity is our fundamental strength as a people and as a nation."

"All talk on Islamic States is just an empty dream. No man in his right sense would accept a nation which bases its political administration on religion, and in a country like Malaysia with its multiracial and multireligious people, there is no room for an Islamic State."

"In the old days people never bothered about what others did, so long as they were free to do what they liked themselves. Today, one cannot sneeze without being corrected, let alone enjoy oneself. That's what politics have done to our society."

"We usually forget that apart from making a living on this earth, human beings live in societies and these societies have cultures. It is only through having cultures that mankind on this earth has an ordered and meaningful life. Music and drama are two of the many important manifestations of a culture. They are important because they represent the expressions emanating from the power of human artistic creativity."

It is my hope that all Malaysians will continue to act as one, united in our diversity. Regardless of race, religion, social status, cultural identity, gender or sexual orientation, we must come together as a nation. May this be the end of divisive race-based politics and policies.

Let us also push for the end of censorship in the arts and culture. No more banning of books, traditional art forms, music, concerts, and "controversial" speakers, artists, musicians, and authors. Malaysia's rich tapestry of creativity and expression should be celebrated, not suppressed.

We must embrace our differences and find strength in our unity. The path forward is clear. Let us walk it together, hand in hand, as one people.

#3rdCulture, #Unity

Overwhelmed by Gratitude

Thank you to all of my long-time supporters who have been continuously championing my music. You deserve so much appreciation and gratitude!

Lastly, I will never forget that it was you, my devoted supporters, who encouraged me to take the leap and sing my own original songs. Your belief in me gave me the confidence to share my authentic voice with the world. I am humbled and honored by your unwavering support.

This journey has been made infinitely more meaningful because of all of you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite comments. I enjoyed replying to every single one:

"Wow wow wow! First of all, the voice... I felt it deep in my soul. Hair raising. Beautiful.  Secondly, I love the lyrics. They could be about a person but also about our world, our earth and our relationship to it. Right now America seems to be losing its way and this song is a beautiful cry for help. 

Remember who we are as humans and we will have a better world. Can’t wait for the next release, Amirah! You’re Gifted." 

"Wow Amirah, this is amazing ... good job with this great song. I couldn’t stop my tears thinking about my country which is in trouble now ....." 

"아름답고 순수한 영혼을 가진 아미라의 새 노래는 잊고 있던 나라의 소중함을 다시 일깨워주네요.특히 많은 개인들과 나라들이 고통받고 있는 이 시기에 이 노래가 많은 사람들에게  위로가 될것 같네요. 감동적인 노래를 만들어 준 아미라에게 감사드립니다."

English translation below:
"Amirah's new song with a beautiful and pure soul reminds us of the preciousness of a forgotten country. I think this song will be comforting to many people, especially at this time when many individuals and countries are suffering. Thank you to Amirah for making this impressive song" 

#Unity

Bridging Cultures Through the Art of Cooking: Samantha Tan's Mission to Share Malaysian Traditions

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, so I knew I’d definitely check out the Malaysian pop-up brunch at Sam Tan’s Kitchen.

The woman behind Sam Tan’s Kitchen is Samantha Tan, who’s an actress by day and a chef by night. Samantha is originally from Malaysia but now lives in Los Angeles. She’s a self-taught chef, specializing in traditional Malaysian cuisine. Also, Samantha was featured on Feastly’s (an online platform that connects chefs with foodies) #GirlsWithKnives blog. What an honor.

Feastly organized Samantha’s third pop-up brunch. The brunch was set in a charming and well-lit loft in the Downtown LA Arts District. I’ve never been to the DTLA before, so it was fun to explore one of LA’s most famous neighborhoods for the first time. The mood was relaxed, and the limited seating made for a cozy atmosphere even though the space itself was rather large. Being an Aspie, I really enjoyed being there with so few people.

Our first course was the kaya toast, which features Samantha’s signature slow-cooked coconut jam. Coconut jam is very difficult to make, requiring hours of careful stirring. Kaya toast is very popular in Malaysia, and it’s a food many Malaysian children grow up eating. Kaya Street Kitchen also serves wonderful kaya toast. You can find Kaya Street Kitchen in the Fairfax District of Central LA. 

The second course was bihun goreng, which is fried rice vermicelli. This is another difficult dish to prepare. It’s also one of my mother’s favorites. Samantha’s bihun consisted of french-cut vegetables, bean sprouts, and green onions. Her bihun was delicious and spicy, just like the bihun I ate back home in Malaysia.

I love how Samantha served the food on plastic Chinese plates, which is usually how food is served in Malaysia. The plates with the traditional Chinese patterns made me feel at home.

Our third course was the roti jala, which translates to “net bread” in English. This dish is a teatime snack and is quite pretty. It looks like an old-fashioned lace doily. I was impressed at how beautiful these doily-shaped pancakes were. And the accompanying curry was creamy but not very spicy (likely to suit the average American’s palate).

Next up was the food I was most looking forward to—nasi lemak bungkus, coconut rice prepared with roasted peanuts, fried anchovies and a signature sambal chili all wrapped up in a banana leaf. Each banana leaf was then individually wrapped in newspaper, as it’s done in Malaysia. Samantha’s nasi lemak bungkus gave off a delicious aroma. Samantha couldn’t find Malaysian newspapers, so she used Chinese and American newspapers instead. It was incredibly delicious.

And finally, for dessert, we had pandan cake, a sponge cake flavored with the essence of pandan leaves. Pandan cake is a light, fluffy and green dessert that’s common in Southeast Asia. I was hoping she made kuih, which is a plate of sticky, cake-like dumplings. Unfortunately, the ingredients aren’t easy to find in the U.S. 

James Kong, a Malaysian veteran who’s lived in the US for about 30 years, presented Samantha with a mini-Oscar for “Best Chef” after we’d all finished eating. It was very sweet of James to do this, and the gesture meant a lot to Samantha.

The idea of giving Samantha an Oscar made perfect sense because she is both an actress and a chef, and she certainly deserved the award.

It’s incredible how impressive Samantha is. I’m glad people like her bring Malaysian cuisine to the U.S. 

It's truly remarkable how Samantha has harnessed her talents and passion to bring the vibrant flavors of Malaysian cuisine to the forefront in Los Angeles. I'm grateful for trailblazers like her who are dedicated to sharing their cultural heritage with the broader community.

#EastMeetsWest, #Unity