Fatimah (front, centre) with representatives of the suraus and mosques in Dalat constituency in a photo-call after the presentation of MRP funds.
DALAT: Twenty-three suraus and mosques across this state constituency can look forward to holding various activities for their congregation this Ramadan, following the distribution of Minor Rural Project (MRP) funds by Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
Fatimah, who is Dalat assemblywoman, said three major mosques – Masjid Al-Muslihin Dalat, Masjid At-Taqwa Kampung Kuala in Oya and Masjid Al-Hidayah Kampung Medong, Dalat – received RM2,000 each, while the remaining five small mosques and 12 suraus were allocated with RM1,000 each.
“Additionally, we also give RM500 for each surau facility in Dalat District Education Office, SMK Oya and SMK Dalat.
“The MRP funds are meant for my constituency’s ‘Ramadan Al Mubarak’ programme, channelled through Perkim (Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation),” she told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The minister – who is also Perkim Sarawak vice-chairperson I and advisor/coordinator of Perkim Dalat-Oya —said a sum of RM24,500 had also been disbursed to Dalat District Office, as well as to the police force here and in Oya, as part of the month-long programme.
Of the amount, RM20,000 would go for upgrading works on the district office, while RM2,500 would be used to purchase furniture for Oya police station.
“The remaining RM2,000 is for the Islamic Welfare Body of Dalat District police headquarters,” she added.
Moreover, Fatimah said her Skuad Sayang of PBB Dalat in collaboration with the local Perkim contributed daily necessities to 20 villagers of Kampung Teh near here recently.
The assemblywoman also chipped in some cash donations to each of the recipients comprising single mothers, senior citizens without caretakers and individuals with disability.
According to her, the charity programme would be running throughout the fasting month, in which it would involve less-fortunate Muslims from some 20 villages across this district and in Oya.
“Ramadan is really the best time to help those who are not as privileged as most of us are.
“Every Muslim should strive to help their less-fortunate brothers and sisters.
“I truly believe that every noble deed comes with an even bigger reward – good begets good.
“Having said this, I strongly advocate for all the Skuad Sayang in other 34 PBB divisions across the state to conduct their own programmes during Ramadan for the benefit of the Muslim communities in their areas.
“The same call also goes for other Perkim branches in Sarawak,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fatimah was happy to see the turnout at the mini Ramadan bazaars in Dalat Waterfront and Oya Square.
“My team and I were there on the first day of Ramadan, where we saw a good number of people shopping for a variety of items for breaking the fast.
“We also distributed packs of Ramadan favourites, ‘Bubur Lambuk’ and ‘Bubur Pedas’ to more than 300 people at both mini-bazaars,” she said.