With the arrival of Ramadhan, Brunei Darussalam awakens to a spirit of generosity that seems to grow stronger with each passing year. The month of fasting is not just a time of spiritual reflection but also a season of giving, where generosity flows as freely as the iftar meals shared among family, friends and strangers alike.
Across the country, communities come together in acts of kindness – mosques, organisations, and individuals coordinate donation drives, filling baskets with staple foods, essential supplies, and heartfelt contributions.
It has become almost second nature for many to seize this sacred time as an opportunity to give back, ensuring no one is left behind in the joyous preparations for Hari Raya.
Among them, a group of students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has embarked on their own initiative, rallying the community to collect Raya clothing for those in need, determined to spread warmth in more ways than one.
Through the Baju Raya Untuk Semua initiative, they have made a meaningful impact by collecting and distributing pre-loved and new Hari Raya clothing to those in need.
Leading this heartfelt endeavour is Athiyah Najihah binti Haji Ahmad, who, along with her team, took on the challenge of ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, could embrace the joy of Hari Raya with dignity. Athiyah, a student of the Master of Management programme, shared that the initiative initially began as part of their Project Management module. However, it quickly became more than just an academic exercise.
“Inspired by the spirit of Ramadhan and giving, we recognised that not everyone has the means to acquire Baju Raya each year,” she explained.
“Since Hari Raya is a time of joy and celebration, we wanted to bridge the gap by providing a platform for people to donate their pre-loved and new Baju Raya to those in need.”
The idea struck a chord with the public, but the process of bringing it to life was not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles the team faced was logistics – particularly in efficiently collecting, sorting and distributing the clothing.
“We initially underestimated the overwhelming response and had to close our donation drive after just two days due to the large volume of contributions,” Athiyah said.
Sorting through the donations to ensure that each piece was in good condition and properly categorised took considerable effort. However, by implementing clear donation guidelines, assigning volunteers to inspect each item, and establishing a structured sorting system, the team managed to streamline the process.
Their efforts paid off tremendously, as they far surpassed their initial goal of collecting 200 clothing sets, amassing over 1,000 sets ready for distribution.
Despite the initial logistical struggles, the experience was rich with lessons for the team.
Athiyah emphasised the importance of early planning and coordination, acknowledging that their ability to quickly adapt allowed them to secure a suitable venue and necessary resources at short notice.
“The generosity of the public exceeded our expectations, and we quickly ran out of space to accommodate all the donations,” she admitted. “However, our ability to problem-solve ensured that every contribution was properly received and managed.” The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive, exceeding even the team’s most optimistic projections.
Social media played a key role in raising awareness, with their campaign gaining traction across Instagram and TikTok. “Our post was shared by over 100 people, and from the very first day of the donation drive, we saw a steady flow of contributions at all three designated drop-off locations,” Athiyah said.
“It has been truly heart-warming to witness the strong spirit of giving among Bruneians during Ramadhan.”
As for the future of Baju Raya Untuk Semua, Athiyah noted that while there are currently no plans to continue the initiative, they remain open to making it an annual event should the opportunity arise.
“We are committed to reaching more communities that were unable to benefit from this round of donations,” she said.
For those interested in contributing, Athiyah encouraged people to donate clothes, volunteer their time for sorting and distribution, or simply help spread awareness.
“Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.”
The initiative was made possible through collaborations with various organisations.
Athiyah also expressed gratitude to UBD and the faculty at the UBD School of Business and Economics for their unwavering support.
“Your contributions have made a significant impact and truly made a difference.”
Through Baju Raya Untuk Semua, Athiyah and her team have embodied the true meaning of Ramadhan – compassion, generosity and unity. In doing so, they have not only provided clothing but also restored dignity and joy to those who might otherwise have gone without.
Their initiative serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness, when multiplied, can create an extraordinary ripple effect in the community. – Izah Azahari
