Rokiah Mahmud
The funeral management fund for underprivileged Muslims was launched at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) yesterday, with UTB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman as the guest of honour.
Participants of the 31st Executive Development Programme for Middle Management Officers (EDPMMO) set up the fund as part of their community outreach programme and programme modules.
The fund will be managed by the Brunei Council on Social Welfare (MKM), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) established with the mission to provide assistance to the community.
Muazara Team representative cum project coordinator Mohd Hafiizh bin Haji Osman said the project aims to introduce a new fund that employs the whole-of-nation approach.
“The project will serve as a platform for the public to channel their generosity, making donations in cash form and via online transfers. With this approach, contributions can continuously be made, and not be limited to a one-off initiative. This will also allow the public to practise giving alms,” Mohd Hafiizh said.
The fund also seeks to raise awareness on Fardhu Kifayah (collective obligation) – such as funeral management, the responsibility of which is to be shouldered by every Muslim.
Meanwhile, MKM President Mohd Yusof bin Halim said the charitable projects carried out by the council aims primarily to assist underprivileged groups lead their daily life, and works towards pull them out of poverty.
At the same time, MKM also provides adhoc assistance to underprivileged families in the event of death.
With funeral management and burial costs estimated at BND300 to BND500, many underprivileged families cannot afford to bear such expenses.
“There is no specific project to fund funeral management; most of the assistance comes from public contribution,” Mohd Yusof said.
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, MKM had discussed with the executive committee the establishment of a fund to assist mosques across the country acquire trolleys to perform the ritual washing of the deceased.
“These are among the requests made by mosques. So, when the Muazara Team approached MKM with their proposals, we truly appreciated it. The fund is much needed as expenses required for funeral management are quite burdening for underprivileged groups.
MKM strongly supports the initiative as it eases the burden of the underprivileged, provides benefits to the contributor, and eases the financial burden of mosques.”
The fund looks to ease the burden shouldered by the needy, specifically MKM clients, in preparation for necessities and the process of handling funeral rites.
The public keen on donating can perform an online transfer to the fund account number, obtainable from MKM’s official website and social media accounts.
