Malaysian Consulate's Ramadan Outreach Unites Communities In West Kalimantan

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, April 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Consulate in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the last 10 days of Ramadan together with the local residents through various religious and social activities.

Consul Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim said the programme was organised in cooperation with the West Kalimantan Government, community organisations, and non-governmental organisations such as Serantau Muslim, which focuses on assisting Muslim minorities in Southeast Asia.

"The programme organised for the first time, ‘I’tikaf and Sahur Together’, took place today in collaboration with Serantau Muslim, the administrative authorities, and the congregation of the Darunnajah Mosque, Kubu Raya," he said in a statement.

The consulate shared ‘rezeki’ (blessings) by providing 250 special Malaysian meal packages, including ‘Nasi Lemak’ and ‘Teh Tarik’, distributed to the attending congregation.

Azizul Zekri explained that the vibrancy of the ‘I’tikaf’ and ‘Sahur’ in West Kalimantan, in general, was extraordinary due to the comprehensive involvement of residents in filling the mosques.

Therefore, the cosulate plans to expand the implementation of the programme to other mosques in the future.

The Consulate carried out the 5B Programme (Infaq, Iftar, Tarawih Prayers, I’tikaf, and Sahur) from April 2 to 7 to share, assist those in need, and strengthen ties with the people of West Kalimantan, especially those in Pontianak and Kubu Raya.

Activities during this period included providing iftar meals and basic necessities to children at Pesantren Al-Jihad and those in need at the Meranti Indah Complex, Southeast Pontianak.

The iftar and tarawih prayer events were attended by Malaysians as well as Friends of Malaysia in West Kalimantan.

-- BERNAMA