S’gor-Gaza fund launched

Royal guests: Sultan Sharafuddin arriving for the breaking of fast event organised by Yayasan MRCB at Tengku Kelana Jaya Petra Mosque in Petaling Jaya, together with Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has launched the Selangor-Gaza Ihsan Development Fund in an effort to help rebuild war-ravaged Gaza.

The Selangor Ruler announced that the fund was a joint initiative between the Selangor government and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim).

“The goal of the newly-launched fund will be to collect donations of at least RM8.7mil, that would then be used to fund three development projects on wakaf land in Gaza.

“Together, let the people of Selangor join hands to help reduce the burden and sufferings of the people in Gaza from the destruction caused by war,” His Royal Highness said in a statement yesterday.

The three development projects would be the construction of a block of apartments (RM3mil), a mosque (RM4mil), and a water tower (RM1.7mil).

Sultan Sharafuddin said the fund had already received a donation of RM1.2mil from the Muslim community in Selangor and RM200,000 from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council, with a RM50,000 personal contribution from the Selangor Mentri Besar.

“I have also ordered that the gathering and channelling of these funds be done through the Selangor Muslim Community Infak Fund.

“This is to ensure the management and allocation of the fund is done appropriately, responsibly, smoothly and transparently,” the Ruler said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, about 500 orphans and single mothers received Ramadan cheer from Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who broke fast with them at an event organised by Yayasan MRCB.

His Royal Highness also presented duit raya to the residents of the Hajah Kamariah Orphans and Single Mothers Welfare home, and cash donations to 200 other orphans from Petaling district.

The event took place at the Tengku Kelana Jaya Petra Mosque, Bernama reported.

Yayasan MRCB, the charitable arm of bumiputra conglomerate Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB), is committed to funding various education, welfare and healthcare programmes for impoverished communities, said MRCB executive vice-president Datuk Ishak Mohamed.