Zulkifli says pondok institutions, madrasahs and religious schools are key partners in building a nation that balances physical development with human values.
IPOH: The federal government, particularly the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), continues to recognise pondok institutions, madrasahs and religious schools as key strategic partners in building a nation that balances physical development with human values.
Minister Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the government firmly believes that a nation’s progress should not be measured solely by economic strength or infrastructure, but by the quality of its people, with development guided by human values.
“The government, through its religious agencies, remains committed to working closely with state governments, State Islamic Religious Departments, State Islamic Religious Councils, religious authorities and Islamic educational institutions nationwide.
“This is to ensure the education system continues to develop in a structured, high-quality and relevant manner to meet current needs,” he said in his welcoming address at the 2026 Perak Pondok and Religious Schools Gathering (HIPSA) at Sekolah Agama Bantuan Kerajaan Maahad Al-Ummah in Chemor here today.
The event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Earlier, Zulkifli presented MADANI Aid Baskets to 12 recipients in a symbolic handover representing 250 beneficiaries from the local community.
Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) said about 3,000 people, comprising members of pondok institutions and religious schools, KAFA teachers, representatives of non-governmental organisations and local residents, attended HIPSA 2026.
The programme, which began this morning, featured a Bicara Murobbi forum titled “The Role of Religious Scholars and Leaders in Nation Building”, with speakers including Kelantan scholar Sheikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki, former Perak mufti Datuk Seri Wan Zahidi Wan Teh and preacher Ustaz Mohamad Saifuddin Abdul Latiff.
YADIM said the event also reached out to needy families through the distribution of essential food items and the presentation of mock cheques to pondok institutions and religious schools in Perak, as well as for student fee sponsorships and the Fast Track Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia programme.
HIPSA 2026 was launched to strengthen and support Islamic educational institutions on an ongoing basis, in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration, which prioritises people’s well-being and human capital development.
Through the spirit of MADANI Membantu, YADIM said the government would continue ensuring support reaches pondok communities, KAFA teachers and grassroots communities that have long served as the backbone of Islamic education in the country.
