GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 ― Penang has set up a special fund to repair and restore mosques, surau and Sekolah Agama Rakyat affected by a major flood.
The state Islamic religious affairs committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, together with the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Council (MAINPP) and Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department appealed to the public to contribute towards this fund as about RM560 million were needed for repair works.
“A total of 17 mosques and surau in the state were damaged during the storm and some Sekolah Agama Rakyat in the state will also need funds as these schools were also damaged in the storm,” said Penang Chief Minister’s information officer Wan Ji Wan Hussin in a statement issued today.
He said some of the unaffected mosques and suraus were opened as relief centres for all flood victims, including non-Muslims.
“We are thankful that the non-Muslim victims were not embarrassed to seek shelter in our places of worship as this is in accordance with our state’s theme, in which Islam is a blessing for all in nature,” he said.
Wan Ji hoped the public can now extend assistance to the mosques, surau and Sekolah Agama Rakyat that were damaged by last weekend’s storm.
“We hope to repair these places as soon as possible,” he said.
He said Abdul Malik has also announced that all mosques and the suraus will be conducting special prayer sessions to pray for the safety of everyone in Penang.
MAINPP has agreed to use its account to receive donations for the fund to repair mosques, surau and some Sekolah Agama Rakyat.
The account number is under MAINPP at Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad number 0702 5010 0369 36.
