Penang becomes first Malaysian state to launch mosque-based Gaza fundraising project to support families affected by conflict.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang has become the first Malaysian state to launch a mosque-based fundraising project to assist families in Gaza, Palestine.
The Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) initiated this project in collaboration with the Muslim Organisation Consultative Council of Malaysia (MAPIM) and Nurul Islam Foundation.
MAINPP President Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid revealed that previous fundraising efforts in 2023 and 2024 collected over one million ringgit for Gaza.
“We sent all those collections, which amounted to more than one million ringgit, to Gaza in early 2024 through the Prime Minister’s Department,” he stated during a ceremony at Al-Bukhary Mosque.
The current project involves 245 mosques across Penang and focuses on adopting families in Gaza.
Dr Mohamad added that they will discuss conducting a special collection to rebuild mosques destroyed in Gaza.
Nurul Islam Foundation Chairman Prof Madya Dr Shaik Abdullah Hassan explained that funds will support adopted families through education, health services, tents, and home reconstruction.
He mentioned that mosques were chosen as collection points due to their role as focal points for the Muslim community.
“We will place QR codes at the mosques for the public to contribute,” Shaik Abdullah noted.
The first phase of the Gaza adopted family programme began during Ramadan last year.
The project currently supports 33 adopted families with monthly donations of 500 ringgit each.
Despite challenges in sending financial aid, contributions have been successfully delivered through MAPIM representatives in Gaza.
The project serves as a pioneer initiative that may expand to other Malaysian states in the future. – Bernama
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