Ithnaini (third left) leads Chin on his left and Penghulu Ahmad, his right during the archery challenge. Mohd Zulkifli is at right.
MIRI: The award-winning Masjid An-Naim in Lutong strives to be not only a symbol of harmony and tolerance in the country, but also of the economy.
Yesterday, the mosque committee ran a charity sale to raise funds for the expansion of the facility towards enabling it to accommodate an additional 350 people.
According to mosque committee chairman Ithnaini Bohari, presently Masjid An-Naim can accommodate almost 2,000 people at one time.
Assistant Minister for Land and Air Transportation and Safety Datuk Lee Kim Shin was represented by his personal assistant, Erick Chin at the charity sale.
Ithnaini, the ‘imam’ (head of the mosque’s congregation) Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Adenan and the mosque executive committee members including Penghulu Ahmad Raman briefed Chin on the event as well as the the development of the mosque.
Ithnaini said proceeds from the sale would go towards the mosque building fund.
It is learned that a total of RM420,000 is needed for Phase I and II of the mosque’s extension project. According to Ithnaini, works for Phase I commenced in January this year and should reach completion before the start of the fasting month – most likely in late May.
“This charity sale is part of our efforts to be self-reliant. We welcome public donations for the project,” he said.
Currrently, the mosque’s building fund has about RM25,000 comprising proceeds from earlier fund-raising activities and public donations.
Ithnaini said those wishing to donate could contact him at 012-808 2959, committee secretary Mohamad Sabri at 010-9841136, or its treasurer Marli Ali at 016-872 8189.
“The Phase II of the project would commence soon after the completion of Phase I – probably before the year-ends,” Ithnaini added.
The charity sale yesterday also introduced an archery challenge, on top of the usual sales of food and drinks, Muslim clothing, fruits and plants.
There were also those who ran charity haircuts, while medical personnel from Miri Health Department conducted free health screening for visitors including checks on body mass index as well as blood tests for diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Masjid An-Naim was built in 1983, next to an Anglican church ‘The Good Shepherd’ in Lutong. It was declared open in September that same year by then-chief minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The mosque and church share a carpark bay. Both committees have also organised many events together.
At the national-level Maal Hijrah 2015 celebration, this mosque was named the ‘Model Mosque’.