Siti Nurhaliza’s foundation rebuilds a Gaza school in tents, resuming education for children after its destruction, with proceeds from her new cookie line funding the humanitarian effort
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite a busy schedule, national songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin remains dedicated to the Afwa Al-Aafiyah School in Gaza.
The school, established by her Yayasan Nurjiwa foundation, has reopened in large tents after its original building was destroyed.
“Our Yayasan Nurjiwa representative in Gaza, Dr Mohanad Kullab, has rebuilt our school, though in very limited circumstances,” she told reporters after a recent iftar event.
She confirmed that children have begun returning to classes held in the temporary structures.
Each tent classroom accommodates more than 10 students and is equipped with basic desks and carpets.
Siti Nurhaliza emphasised the critical need to continue education despite the ongoing conflict.
“We know that what has been built could be destroyed again, but we cannot remain silent,” she stated.
She added that life must go on and the children’s schooling cannot stop.
Efforts are now underway to construct a more permanent physical structure for the school.
The singer hopes the new classes will motivate children affected by the war.
She expressed deep sorrow last September when the school, which also served as a shelter, was bombed.
The original school was built before the 2021 war, inspired by Siti Nurhaliza and her husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa.
It was intended to provide educational opportunities for Gaza’s children.
In a related initiative, the singer has launched a special Hari Raya cookie collection.
Part of the proceeds will be channelled to Yayasan Nurjiwa to support its humanitarian work.
This includes educational assistance for the Gaza school project.
“I have long thought about venturing into the festive cookie business, but this time it is more about giving back,” she explained.
The collection features popular choices like Almond London, pineapple tarts and mazola cookies.
She hopes public support for the cookies will bolster the foundation’s charitable efforts.
