A WORLD SANS PERKASA-ISMA: Non-Muslim NGO helps Muslim residents set up surau

PORT DICKSON - In a spirit to promote unity among religions and races, a non-Muslim non-governmental organisation (NGO) recently assisted the Muslim community to set up a temporary surau.

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Council of Malaysia recently assisted the residents of D’ Pinggiran Kota, Lukut, here, by setting up a temporary surau in the flats to make it easier for Muslim residents to conduct their daily prayers.

Speaking to The Rakyat Post, its president, Dr Suresh Govind, said the NGO found out about the community’s plight after conducting free tuition lessons at the residential area.

“The Muslim residents here have to travel far to conduct their prayers and their Quran classes.

“Seeing that this was a burden to many, we felt that as Malaysians we should be doing something good and positive to help the community.”

The surau was then set up after the NGO consulted with the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Department and the residents of the flats here.

“A committee consisting of the village head, imam and residents of the flats was formed to ensure that plans to set up the surau went smoothly.”

He said the department had also given the green light for the NGO to set up the surau.

The imam of the surau, Ahmad Kamal Jaelani, was thrilled with the setting up of the surau and said more such unity among the various races should be expressed and promoted.

“There should be a need for an understanding among races,” Ahmad said.

“Whoever it is who needs help, irregardless of race, background, creed or religion, should be assisted because doing good is something that is constantly spoken of in all religions.”

Ahmad said the temporary surau would serve as a makeshift prayer location as well as a place for Quran classes to be held.

He added that plans for a permanent surau were in the pipeline and expected to be completed in two years.

“I’m glad that the NGO looked into our plight and assisted us. At least now we have a temporary location to remind ourselves of God,” Ahmad said.

The surau was officiated by Utusan Group’s chief editor Mohd Noordin Abbas, who lauded the move by the NGO.

“Utusan would try to seek out such NGOs to promote the spirit of unity among Malaysians and expose their goodwill through our papers.” Noordin said during his launching speech.

Present during the opening ceremony was Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) deputy president Jufitri Joha.  -TRP