In a household where faiths differ but love unites, Nur Ervy Deborah Ronnifred Sabin’s journey as a single mother stands as a quiet testament to strength, resilience, and devotion – this Mother’s Day, her story speaks volumes.
A journey through faith, family and motherhood
EVERY second Sunday in May, the world pauses – if only briefly – to acknowledge the love, labour, and quiet resilience of mothers.
For some, it’s a day of flowers, breakfast in bed, and handwritten notes from little hands. But for many women, especially those who walk their journeys alone, Mother’s Day becomes more than a celebration.
It is a silent marker of every invisible sacrifice, every decision made in solitude, every tear wiped before dawn, and every act of love offered without applause.
For Nur Ervy Deborah Ronnifred Sabin – or simply Debbie to those closest to her – Mother’s Day carries a deeper, more personal meaning.
A 41-year-old single mother from Song, Debbie’s motherhood is shaped not just by circumstance but by faith, transformation, and unwavering strength.
“Being a single mother is not a weakness. It’s a mark of strength. Every day you show up for your child is proof of your resilience and dedication,” she said firmly.
Her story is not one of pity but of purpose – a woman raising her children with intention, navigating the complexities of faith and family under one roof.
A mother’s heart, rewritten by faith
Debbie wasn’t born Muslim. Raised in a Christian family, she experienced her own spiritual transformation when she embraced Islam – an act that quietly reshaped every part of her life, including the way she mothered.
“I didn’t expect how deeply it would change me – not just spiritually, but also in how I saw my role as a mother.
“I became more careful, more patient. What surprised me the most was discovering a strength within myself I never knew I had, even in the midst of confusion and challenge,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
This newfound strength became her foundation. Debbie’s parenting is not only a reflection of her faith but also of the values she carried from her childhood – now illuminated through the lens of Islam.
“I found the beauty of Islam offers guidance in all aspects of life – from family and work to business and social interactions,” she said.
It’s this balance of past and present that grounds her. She hopes her children will remain strong in their faith and walk the right path with kindness, humility, and compassion.
Raising children with purpose
As a mother of five, Debbie sees parenting not just as a responsibility, but a calling. Her values are simple yet profound: honesty, respect for others, and gratitude.
Through Islam, she has come to deeply appreciate the importance of character and manners. More than rituals, she wants her children to grow up kind, responsible, and emotionally aware.
Those lessons begin at home. One moment that stands out in her memory is when her sons – now twelve and seven – began performing their prayers together.
“At an early age, they started to perform their prayers and took my advice to read the Al-Quran every day.
“Sometimes at home, the two boys take turns leading the fardhu prayers as imam,” she said.
In those quiet moments of spiritual practice – led by her children – Debbie sees the fruits of her efforts, watered by patience and faith.
A peaceful coexistence under one roof
Debbie’s faith journey didn’t lead her away from her family – it brought her closer to the essence of who she is.
She now raises her children in the home she shares with her Christian parents – a dynamic that could have been fraught with tension.
Instead, Debbie chooses harmony over division.
“I tried my best to be patient, respectful, responsible and caring, even when faced with misunderstanding or disagreement,” she said.
Rather than distance herself, she remains present at family events – within respectful boundaries – and shows through her actions that Islam has nurtured a more grounded and caring version of herself.
She has created a small prayer space in the home and avoids contentious conversations. What she emphasises instead is the value of kindness, no matter the faith.
“I explained to my children that we should still treat everyone with kindness and show them good manners as Muslims,” she said.
This approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over time, her parents have come to see how faith has shaped her – not into someone different, but someone better.
“When they saw me becoming more loving, more responsible, they realised that my faith didn’t make me a stranger – it helped me become a better version of myself. That shifted their perspective,” she pointed out.
Contrary to what some might expect, Debbie says her family has largely been supportive.
“Alhamdulillah, I had strong support from my family side.
“Most of the time, they were quite understanding as they saw the positive impact on me and how I raised my kids,” she said.
Support in this context isn’t always vocal or direct – it’s in the quiet allowance, the respect for space, and the willingness to coexist.
That quiet support, coupled with Debbie’s steady resolve, has allowed her children to flourish.
Small victories, deep pride
While faith has been her compass, pride reveals itself in many forms. There are moments, she admits with a smile, when she truly feels proud of how far they have come.
One of the proudest? Watching her daughters – now 16 and 15 – flourish in their studies. They were accepted into prestigious schools: Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) and Sekolah Menengah Sains Kuching.
For Debbie, these milestones are not just academic wins. They’re testaments to her perseverance – the result of years spent guiding her children with care and conviction.
Debbie knows she is not alone in her experience. There are many like her – reverts to Islam, single mothers navigating multifaith households, women walking the quiet, often misunderstood path of faith-fuelled motherhood.
To them, she offers this: “Keep your focus on what truly matters – raising your child and building a stable, healthy lifestyle. Show the best version of yourself. Your success isn’t measured by people’s opinions.”
And in those moments when judgement weighs heavy, she reminds others to turn to the One who sees every sacrifice made in silence.
“Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” (Surah Ali-Imran: 173)
The quiet power of presence
This Mother’s Day, Debbie won’t be expecting gifts or grand gestures. Her celebration will come in quieter ways – the morning dua, the sound of Quran recitation, and the sight of her children practising what she’s tried so hard to instil.
“We’re always learning. But what matters is the intention to raise our children with love, dignity and faith,” she said.
Because at the heart of motherhood lies not perfection, but presence.
And as Debbie reminds us – especially those who walk alone – motherhood is not for the faint of heart. But on this Mother’s Day, and every day, it remains a quiet, unwavering mark of strength.
