The financial assistance to Islamic educational institutions in Kedah announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today can help the institutions to continue their operations and provide more comfortable facilities for students.
Kedah People’s Religious School Association of Principals (PPSAR) chairman Rusdi Hasan said many Islamic educational institutions including ‘sekolah pondok’, maahad tahfiz and people’s religious schools are facing problems in terms of their operations, especially during the current economic situation.
“Thank you to the Prime Minister for the announcement to help 36 Islamic educational institutions in Kedah that will benefit 10,000 students.
“…it is hoped that such assistance can be channelled every year to help religious schools operate smoothly,” he told Bernama in Kodiang, near here today.
Earlier when speaking at the diamond jubilee celebration of Sekolah Menengah Agama Nahdhah Hasanah Melele, Kodiang, Anwar announced RM604,180 in allocation to the Islamic educational institutions for teacher training and educational aid.
In addition, a total of RM1.985 million would be donated to 28 sekolah pondok, tahfiz, maahad and religious schools registered in Kedah to further enrich Islamic-based education in the state.
Rusdi, who is also the principal of Sekolah Menengah Agama Madrasah Ihsaniah, Kampung Jangkang, Kulim said the assistance will also help the institutions to carry out programmes to strengthen Islamic teachings and cultivate Islamic values and further spread the teachings of the religion.
Meanwhile, the senior academic and administrative assistant of Yayasan Al-Khairiah Religious Secondary School, Baling, Khairul Ashraf Abdul Rahman said that the assistance would help the school and motivate Islamic educational institutions to continue educating children to understand Islamic teachings and values.
“Although we do have many sources of funds for our operations, such assistance from the federal or state governments is always welcomed,” he said.
Commenting on the RM2.94 donation to be channelled to mosques in the state in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha, the chairman of the Al-Ummah Mosque in Telok Chengai, Jalan Kuala Kedah Mohd Nazimi Zaim Ismail said it shows the Prime Minister’s concern over the needs of the Muslims, adding it provides huge benefits to the mosques such as improving the religious environment at the mosques and strengthens bonds among the congregation.
The chairman of Sharifah Fatimah Mosque in Jalan Hospital near Jitra, Mohamad Fida’iy Zainal Abidin expressed his thanks to the government, adding he hoped the mosques would receive the donation ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha to cover the cost of carrying out the sacrificial rites.
Earlier, Anwar who is also the Minister of Finance announced the donation to 588 mosques in 12 districts throughout Kedah registered under the Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIK).
Source: BERNAMA News Agency