Yankee Leong
From Bahaikipedia
Yankee Leong (c. November 19, 1899 - June 17, 1986) was the first individual to declare his belief in Bahá'u'lláh in Malaya and worked tirelessly to help the faith grow in the region.
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[edit] Early Life
Yankee Leong was born to a poor immigrant family in Malaya, which is part of Malaysia. It is recorded that he was born "In the tenth moon of th eYear of the Pig at the close of the last century". This is most likely October or November of 1899. Records also indicate a Yan Pat was born on November 19, 1899 to Yankee's mother, Kong Shih, it is prsumed this record is the birth of Yankee Leong.
When he was young Yankee was adopted by a Mr. Choo due to his own families poverty. Mr. Choo gave Yankee the name Kee. The name Yankee came from a cross between Kee, a given name and Yan, his family name. In traditional Chinese the family name precedes the given name, becoming Yan Kee Leong, and later Yankee.
[edit] Family
Yankee Leong was born to Yan Kuen and Kong Shih.
Yankee had two sisters, the eldest sister was named Koon Tai, followed by Tai Tai. Next was his elder brother, Pek Yong. After Yankee came two more brothers, Yoon Kim, and Chin Siew.
[edit] Declaration
He declared on December 19, 1953 in Seremban.
[edit] Teaching work
Yankee Leong made it his priority to establish Local Spiritual Assemblies in Seremban, Malacca Town, and Kuala Lumpur. He also wrote many letters introducing his friends to the Faith, and taught with great enthusiasm.
Leong was very successful in teaching the Faith to the aborigine people in the Malayan jungles and was invited in 1960 to teach in Brunei and Sarawak by Dr. John Fozdar and Minoo Fozdar. Through Leong and the help of his translator Philip Suning the faith began to grow in Sarawak.
[edit] References
- Manisegaran, A. (2003). Jewel Among Nations - An account of the early days of the Bahá'í Faith in West Malaysia. Malaysia: Splendour Publications. ISBN 983-51419-0-9.
- Ong, Henry (1979). Uncle Yankee. California: Ong Publications.
- Ong, Rose (2001). A Journey with Uncle Yankee. ISBN 983-40647-0-5.
