Sarawak launches fund to help suffering Palestinians

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KUCHING: Sarawak yesterday launched ‘Ihsan Palestin’, a fund to help Palestinians who are suffering due to Israel’s armed aggression in Gaza.

Taib performing the symbolic ceremony to launch the fund as others look on. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem were among the guests of honour who were present to launch the fund at Masjid Jamek here.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said the Israeli aggression towards the Palestinians had drawn worldwide attention towards the crime against humanity.

“What the Zionist regime had done is actually not a religious affair, but a crime against humanity, and we are here to assist those affected,” said Daud, who pointed out that most of the victims of the Israeli attack were women and children.

“We will be placing donation boxes in certain areas as several members of the public had said they did not know where to donate to this cause,” he said, and urged members of the public, regardless of race or religion, to donate to the fund.

Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Masjid Negeri Sarawak (LAKMNS) will be managing the ‘Ihsan Palestin’ fund, and the money collected will be channelled direct to those affected in Gaza.

Cash donations can be made at LAKMNS Financial Department at 8th floor, Baitul Makmur Building, or dropped into the donation boxes placed at Masjid Jamek and selected shopping malls in Kuching.

Members of the public can also bank in to LAKMNS’ account at RHB Islamic Bank (21125460005770) or cheque issued to Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Masjid Negeri Sarawak (21125460005770), stating `Ihsan Palestin’ on the back of the cheque.

Also present were Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani.