WHEN he was seven, Zul wondered why, unlike his neighbourhood friends, he never had to go to school.
He later found out that he was never enrolled because his parents did not want him to be 'contaminated' by the teachings in secular schools, he said.
While kids his age were studying, Zul and his younger brother played at East Coast beach where they lived in a tent. It was only at the age of 13 that he received free education under a self-help group.