(From right) Aishah assists Dayang Morliah and Awang Tengah distributing Hari Raya goodies to participants of the Nuzul Al-Quran as well as Perkim Lawas members during the programme at Masjid Darul Ma’mur Lawas.
LAWAS: A long-distance Quran learning programme run by the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim) Lawas Branch is set to reach its 1,000-participant target this year.
So far, it has engaged 949 individuals from around this district.
Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan commended Perkim Lawas for such initiative, hoping that the encouraging response from the public, especially adult learners, would continue.
“By learning more about the Quran and appreciating its content, the Muslims would be able to truly make Islam as a way of life. It is stated that Prophet Muhammad PBUH received the first verse on the 17th day of Ramadan,” he said at the annual ‘Nuzul Al-Quran’ at Masjid Darul Ma’mur here on Sunday evening.
The minister, who is Bukit Sari assemblyman, also called on local Muslims to work together with committees of their respective suraus and mosques in holding various community programmes at these facilities.
“Our suraus and mosques are more than just places of worship. They should also become the focal point for Muslims to improve themselves through education. These facilities can host children’s activities, entrepreneurship courses or workshops and even sports events and games and when the prayer’s time comes, we can stop and fulfil our obligation to God,” he said.
Awang Tengah’s wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud, who is Perkim Lawas chairperson, said the long-distant Quran programme was set up several years ago, with only 20 participants then.
“We now have 949 participants and God-willing, we hope to achieve 1,000 soon. The participants are from different age groups – from school-going children up to 60-year-olds,” she said, adding that Perkim Lawas would be looking forward to improve its socio-welfare programmes slated for the local folk.
Meanwhile, Tabung Baitumal Sarawak presented RM4,400 from its tithe collection to 44 poor individuals from this district.
According to a statement, the statutory body spent RM20.9 million throughout the first half of this year and RM40.5 million last year, to reinforce knowledge-seeking tradition, welfare activities and programmes slated for Islamic institutional development.
The ‘Nuzul Al-Quran’ was also attended by Lawas District Officer Hussaini Hakim, Perkim Lawas deputy chairperson Aishah Bahar and local community leaders.