Charity work continues despite MCO

Much needed aid: Asna (centre) handing over household items to a recipient of the Gerobok Rezeki programme.

SEREMBAN: Every year, Mohd Asna Amin looks forward to the arrival of Ramadan as he and his family would join a congregation of 1,400 Muslims to pray and do charity for 30 days at Masjid Qariah Ibnu Khaldun at Taman Lavender Heights here.Asna, who is also the mosque’s chairman, said praying and doing charity with his Muslim brethren during the period was a feeling he could not describe.

“But sadly, after all these years, my family and I will not be able to celebrate Ramadan due to the Covid-19 outbreak, ” said the 41-year-old father of 10.

Asna, who is a company director, said during previous fasting months, his family would break fast with the poor, including orphans and other residents at the mosque, perform Maghrib and terawih prayers followed by moreh (supper).

“That was my family’s routine every Ramadan which we so cherished, ” he said.

“We also looked forward to breaking fast on the first day of Ramadan with my parents which is a must for many Malay families. But that too is not possible now.

“We have however accepted this as the priority is to fight Covid-19 till the end, ” he added.

Asna said he was glad that the mosque committee had started a charity programme called Gerobok Rezeki on March 23, five days after the government implemented the enhanced movement control order.

He added that the group has been giving household items to 200 poor and needy families a day and they have helped some 5,000 families so far.

Asna said his committee has continued to receive donations and hopes to continue with this programme during Ramadan.

“We have a double-storey shop and will contact those who are eligible for aid during the holy month

to come and collect the household items, ” he said.

He said the committee was also planning to cater food for 200 poor Muslims daily during Ramadan.

They would also be given household stuff.

“Although we may not be able to congregate in mosques, my family and I will try and make this Ramadan as special as it was before by helping the needy.

“Although we will do our solat (prayers) at home, we will work with the community to help the poor during this difficult period, ” he added.

The Negri Sembilan government was the first to ban Ramadan bazaars this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.