Azlan Othman, James Kon, Lyna Mohamad, Izah Azahari & Daniel Lim
Acts of charity are moving full steam ahead as the Sultanate enters the third week of Ramadhan.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) presented a water jet and vacuum as waqaf to Kampong Pulaie Mosque yesterday, following a Tedarus ceremony.
Minister of Health cum guest of honour Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar handed over waqaf to Mosque Affairs Officer Mohd Zakaria bin Haji Mohd Salleh.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by the Tedarus.
Additionally, the MoH and its departments held a Tedarus ceremony and endowment handover at Kampong Mentiri Mosque on Thursday.
The ceremony commenced with guest of honour Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham leading the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah.
The minister later handed over endowment in the form of a water dispenser and printer to Kampong Mentiri Mosque Imam Haji Sanip bin Haji Nasar.
The ceremony was held to enliven the holy month of Ramadhan and receive blessings from Allah the Almighty.
Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin, Acting Director General of Medical and Health Services Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Khalifah bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, directors and personnel from the MoH also attended both events.
Meanwhile, the Employees Trust Fund (TAP) held a donation ceremony for 10 TAP orphans and a charity visit to 10 underprivileged families in Brunei-Muara District as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports cum Chairman of the TAP Board of Directors Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin handed over the donations.
During the home visits, the TAP delegation witnessed first-hand the manner in which the underprivileged families live.
They received donations in the form of cash and basic necessities – derived from funds collected from TAP board members and employees – to help with their Hari Raya preparations.
TAP management team and personnel were also present.
Similarly, 93 Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) orphans received donations via a drive-through set up at the Officers Mess at the Police Headquarters in Gadong.
Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali and his spouse, Welfare Body of Police’s Wives and Families (PEKERTI) President Pengiran Datin Hajah Zauyah binti Pengiran Haji Sulaiman handed over the donations.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sulaiman bin Alidin and his spouse, PEKERTI Chairperson Sabrina Aziemah binti Abdullah Chong were also present.
The annual event secures a network of cooperation between the Officers Mess Committee, Executive Committee of Welfare and Sports Bodies of RBPF, as well as PEKERTI.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by APO Staff Sergeant 6472 Mohammad Yusri bin Haji Abu Bakar.
Elsewhere, 16 orphans from Jalan Bebatik Kilanas received donations during a ceremony at the Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Mukim Kilanas.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim handed over the donations.
The gathering included a Khatam Al-Quran to mark Ramadhan, with tokens of appreciation presented to Al-Quran readers during the holy month. Organised by the mosque’s takmir committee members with cooperation from the Kampong Kilanas Consultative Council, the event was held to gain blessings from Allah the Almighty, as well as to lighten the financial burden and share the festive spirit with the orphans.
Also hopping onto the charity bandwagon was Berakas Secondary School (SMB), with its annual Khairat Ta’awun Fii Ramadhan to assist 28 orphan students and the families of 10 students.
SMB Principal Alexandar bin Bandang led the event that saw each student receiving basic necessities for the upcoming festivities and a copy of Al-Quran.
The Britain Brunei Business Forum (BBBF) held a similar event for 15 Brunei-Muara District orphans and their guardians, coupled with an iftar treat at the Radisson Hotel.
The orphans received goody bags containing school supplies, prayer mats, confectionery and green packets courtesy of the BBBF executive committee and members, while the guardians received stationery and prayer mats.
BBBF Chairman Siva Subramaniam said the BBBF has been part of the community for 20 years, and that it continues to find ways to give back to the community through such activities.
“We are delighted to be able to spend time with the beneficiaries of today’s iftar activity, through the generosity of our forum members and executive committee,” he added.
BBBF committee members joined the guests in breaking the fast.
Indera Motors Sdn Bhd joined the Society for Community and Outreach and Training (SCOT) Social Kitchen programme to donate 250 meals to socio-economically challenged families and foreign workers registered with the Community Development Department (JAPEM).
The SCOT Social Kitchen initiative this year worked with disadvantaged communities, particularly single mothers, to provide 4,000 home-cooked meals to other socio-economically challenged communities across the country.
Indera Motors personnel assisted mothers with meal preparation, cooking and packing at the kitchen located at Jalan Utama Berakas. Indera Motors also provided meal delivery transportation.
The retailer’s sponsorship of the Social Kitchen initiative is part of its CSR mission to deliver lasting, positive impacts to the communities.
Looking to give back to the community, the Belait District Senior Citizens Association (PWEDB) in collaboration with Pertiwi Association and the Youth and Sports Department (Belait District) held a charitable drive-through at the new Youth and Sport Department building in Belait District.
The day saw the distribution of bubur kacang and the setting up of a thrift section for clothes.
PWEDB President Dr Haji Mohd Shah bin Imam Haji Ahmad led the event alongside PWEDB Advisor Haji Pungut bin Ali.
PWEDB General Secretary Mohd Yunos bin Haji Pungut said the bubur kacang was prepared by the senior citizens, while the thrift section featured clothes donated by the public. “Additionally, Pertiwi Association contributed by handing out 100 goodie bags filled with food and drinks to help enliven the holy month,” he said.
Mohd Yunos said the association plans to conduct similar events, particularly thrift sales, after Hari Raya to help fund the association’s operational costs and to aid senior citizens in the district.
“We hope that by conducting the event we will be able to continue to raise awareness on PWEDB activities and provide senior citizens the opportunity to give back to the community.”
Meanwhile, Kolej International Graduate Studies (KIGS) held its annual donation hand over and Khatam Al-Quran ceremony at the KIGS Business, Marketing and Communication Centre (BMCC) in Kiulap.
KIGS former CEO Pengiran (Dr) Hajah Fatimah binti Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin and Board of Directors member Pengiran Haji Mohd Yamin bin Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin presented the donations to 27 orphans and less fortunate individuals.
Over 50 staff and students participated in the event that saw KIGS lecturer Nordin bin Ajmain leading the recitation of Doa.
At a separate event recently, the RPN Kampong Mentiri Village Safety and Development Committee of Area II presented donations to 12 orphans, single mothers and families in need.
RPN Kampong Mentiri Acting Village Head (Zone II) Haji Mohammed Nizam bin Haji Julaihi handed out Hari Raya hampers and basic necessities.
