Lyna Mohamad & Fadhil Yunus
The distribution of basic necessities including rice, sugar, cooking oil, and canned goods to underprivileged Muslim convert families (Muallaf) continued yesterday in the Brunei-Muara district as part of the Fathul Barakah 3.0 Project.
The delegation from the Islamic Dakwah Centre (PDI) was led by PDI Assistant Director Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Kahar who visited seven convert families at their homes in Kampong Sengkurong, Kampong Tanjong Nangka and Kampong Mulaut.
Also present were Head of Muallaf Development Division (Tarbiyah Muallaf), Dr Hajah Rohanita binti Haji Yaakub who handed over the Ramadhan Practice posters to female recipients. The distribution began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa by a PDI officer before the delegates made their way to the residences.
This year 400 packs of basic necessities were collected to be distributed to converts nationwide using the drive-through system and direct delivery. The dry food items were purchased using the funds collected from the Fathul Barakah 3.0 Project carried out on March 5 and 6 by the Ministry of Religious Affairs through PDI in collaboration with converts associations nationwide.
Meanwhile the Ramadhan Practices posters, initiated by Tarbiyah Muallaf in collaboration with PDI’s Research and Publication Division, guide converts in religious practices aside from performing their fasting obligation such as increasing the reading of Al-Quran, performing sahur, and filling Ramadhan nights with ibadah such as Sunnat Terawih prayers and Tedarus.
The Fathul Barakah 3.0 Project is a PDI initiative in collaboration with the convert associations in the country to provide a platform for the public to contribute basic necessities to the Muallaf community in anticipation of month of Ramadhan, to help ensure that they are able to carry out their fasting obligations.
The project also aims to strengthen ties between the converts and PDI in carrying out welfare activities for the wellbeing of converts in the country. Meanwhile, the Kampong Jerudong ‘B’ Village Consultative Council rekindled the spirit of gotong-royong as they organised a cleaning campaign at the Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Mosque.
The event coincided with the presentation of basic necessities to 20 underprivileged families residing in the vicinity of Kampong Jerudong ‘A’ and Kampong Jerudong ‘B’.
Chaired by Acting Village Head of Kampong Jerudong ‘B’ Kamis bin Panjang, the annual event is held to welcome the month of Ramadhan and provide assistance to members of the community, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brunei-Muara District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim was the guest of honour. Also present was Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jaafar bin Haji Abdul Aziz.
