
90-year-old home going strong
Chow greets one of the residents at the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged.
CM praises Penang folk, establishment committee for caring for the aged
PENANG government has allocated RM50,000 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged in Sungai Dua.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is the home's board chairman, thanked the committee, donors, volunteers and supporters for their continued dedication, noting that their contributions had been vital to the well-being and relevance of the home in this modern era.
'This home has been a sanctuary for the abandoned, the lonely, the poor and the elderly with no family to turn to.
'And what makes it even more remarkable is that all of this care, from food and lodging to medical support, is provided completely free of charge.
'Penangites always have a strong spirit of looking out for one another, and this home is a living, breathing example of that,' he said, reports Buletin Mutiara.
Some of the food stalls set up at the food fair at Sungai Dua. — Courtesy photos
The celebration also featured a charity food fair, drawing hundreds of supporters with a wide variety of food and drinks.
Residents enjoyed the lively atmosphere, sharing moments of happiness with the public.
Chow said such events were important not only to raise funds but also to strengthen the home's connection with the community.
'It brings people together. It raises awareness. And it reminds us of the responsibility we all share to care for our seniors,' Chow said at the food fair held in Sungai Dua.
Responding to growing public curiosity about the administration of the home, Chow said the state government did not operate the facility solely.
He said the 90-year-old home, founded under the colonial government, has traditionally had the chief minister as chairman, a role focused on guidance rather than direct control.
Also present at the event were home trustee Datuk Seri Chong Eng and state social development, welfare, and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
90-year-old home going strong
Chow greets one of the residents at the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged. CM praises Penang folk, establishment committee for caring for the aged PENANG government has allocated RM50,000 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged in Sungai Dua. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is the home's board chairman, thanked the committee, donors, volunteers and supporters for their continued dedication, noting that their contributions had been vital to the well-being and relevance of the home in this modern era. 'This home has been a sanctuary for the abandoned, the lonely, the poor and the elderly with no family to turn to. 'And what makes it even more remarkable is that all of this care, from food and lodging to medical support, is provided completely free of charge. 'Penangites always have a strong spirit of looking out for one another, and this home is a living, breathing example of that,' he said, reports Buletin Mutiara. Some of the food stalls set up at the food fair at Sungai Dua. — Courtesy photos The celebration also featured a charity food fair, drawing hundreds of supporters with a wide variety of food and drinks. Residents enjoyed the lively atmosphere, sharing moments of happiness with the public. Chow said such events were important not only to raise funds but also to strengthen the home's connection with the community. 'It brings people together. It raises awareness. And it reminds us of the responsibility we all share to care for our seniors,' Chow said at the food fair held in Sungai Dua. Responding to growing public curiosity about the administration of the home, Chow said the state government did not operate the facility solely. He said the 90-year-old home, founded under the colonial government, has traditionally had the chief minister as chairman, a role focused on guidance rather than direct control. Also present at the event were home trustee Datuk Seri Chong Eng and state social development, welfare, and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.


New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Family pools RM16,000 for korban ritual, distributes 300kg beef
KUBANG PASU: A family in Kodiang pooled over RM16,000 in savings for Hari Raya Aidiladha, sacrificing three cattle and distributing more than 300kg of beef. The initiative, led by 21 members of the extended family, was made possible through over a year of monthly contributions. Heading the effort was Mohamad Tarmizi Ghazali, 58, a civil servant based in Perlis, who said: "This isn't just about fulfilling a religious call. It's also about reconnecting as a family. We're all related to my late in-laws, Mohd Yusuf Othman and Che Meriyam Syafie, who died 17 and five years ago, respectively. "Since their passing, it's been rare for us to gather, especially with many of us living far apart across the country. This was an opportunity to come together for something meaningful," he said when met at a cattle ranch in Changlun today. Tarmizi said a good share of the beef would be distributed to underprivileged households in the surrounding areas, in keeping with the spirit of sharing and compassion of Hari Raya Aidiladha. "With the RM16,350 we spent, I hope it benefits at least 60 asnaf (those eligible to receive zakat) and others in need, whom we've already identified. "Each of us will also receive 15kg to 20kg of beef. InshaAllah, the blessings will be far-reaching." His nephew, Mohd Fadzli Abd Hamid, 43, an electrical engineer based in Penang, said the initiative was also a valuable learning experience for the younger generation about the Islamic practice of korban. "Our children were excited. Some were nervous or even scared, but this is part of our religious tradition. One day, when they grow up, they will carry it on with understanding," he said. His sister, Nur Farahana Abd Hamid, 37, who runs an online business and lives in Sintok, said it was her first time participating in the korban ritual, and it was deeply meaningful. "We planned this for over a year. Each of us contributed RM80 monthly from July last year until this May. It may not have been possible for me to take part if I had to pay a lump sum, so I'm really thankful," she said. What made it more special, she added, was the family atmosphere during the celebration. "There was laughter, there were smiles. It was beautiful to experience it together during a blessed festive period." Hari Raya Aidiladha, observed on the 10th of Zulhijjah, which fell on June 7 this year, commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Prophet Ismail, who submitted to Allah's will. The annual korban ritual honours that act of faith. Meat from the sacrificed animals is shared with the underprivileged, ensuring that no one is left behind during the celebration.


Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Sinar Daily
Qurban, a beautiful reminder to give from the heart and reflect on what truly matters
EVERY year, as Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, the air fills with the sounds of prayers, the scent of sacrificial meat, and a growing sense of tradition. But behind the bustle of buying cattle and coordinating distribution lies something far deeper, a timeless message of sacrifice, humility, and shared humanity. It's easy to get caught up in the logistics: How much for one portion? Goat or cow? Local or overseas? Yet, as Islamic law expert Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim reminds, the core of qurban is not about ritual alone, it's about intent. 'It is also the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). We must constantly remind our families that when we offer a portion of a goat or cow, it is to draw ourselves closer to Allah,' he says. 'While the adat (custom) may follow second, the priority is to recognise it as a sunnah. The family tradition of never missing Qurban is noble, but what's more important is to remember that it originates from the sunnah.' A REFLECTION For many, the act of sacrificing an animal feels like a ceremonial duty, a yearly checkbox. But Izhar points to something more powerful: empathy. 'This annual practice should remind and encourage us to constantly engage in self-reflection and humility. From Qurban, we are taught gratitude, to recognise that what we have is already the best, especially compared to others who might only eat meat once a year during this occasion," he said. For those who feast without thinking, it's a sobering reminder: meat, which many enjoy regularly, remains a rare luxury for others. Qurban is a moment to pause, give thanks, and give back. A TEST OF EGO AND SINCERITY He also highlighted a growing concern, which is performative piety. In an age where social media announcements and donation receipts can be flaunted like badges of honour, even acts of worship risk being reduced to status symbols. 'This act of worship reminds us that everything we do should be solely for the sake of gaining Allah's approval. "Qurban should be devoid of the intention to impress others, such as boasting that we've sacrificed a whole cow or five animals in our name, which does happen in some cases. "By reminding ourselves that our actions must never be for people, but for Allah, we help ourselves avoid this," he said. That sense of humility, he says, is central to the entire tradition. And it's a humility that should extend beyond individuals, even to the way the community collectively performs and manages the practice. GO BIG, GIVE BEST There's also the issue of quality. According to Izhar, choosing the weakest or cheapest animal just to 'tick the box" misses the point entirely. 'Islam teaches us that when we give food to others, we must offer the best. The same applies when spending in the way of Allah and giving in charity. Don't go for the cheapest or lowest quality animals just to save costs,' he said. And while it's become increasingly popular to outsource qurban to other countries due to cost, he cautions that there is virtue in thinking local first. 'The poor we distribute to should be Muslims within Malaysia. "Making our local friends, neighbours, and community members happy takes precedence over sending food abroad, where others have their own governments and wealth. "Prioritise the needy around us such as our village, our town, our state, and neighbouring states. Eventually, the whole country benefits. 'There are poor people here too. Our goal is to bring joy to those in need, not to save money. This perception needs to be corrected so that we are confident our ibadah will be accepted by Allah," he said. WHEN CONVENIENCE MEETS CONVICTION In today's digital-first world, online qurban services have become increasingly convenient. Click a few buttons and a sacrifice is performed in your name. But is ease coming at the cost of awareness? 'The system of purchasing qurban meat and animal selection online is one of today's conveniences, using modern technology for buying and financial transactions,' Izhar acknowledged. But he stressed that true engagement requires more than a digital footprint. 'The sacrifice and distribution must be tangible, you can't rely on the digital realm because you don't know whether the meat will truly reach the intended recipient. "We must ensure the meat is delivered to the rightful recipients: the poor, the neighbours, the family and only lastly, for ourselves," he said. This entire process must be observed physically and with full awareness of the religious rulings on qurban meat distribution. DISTRIBUTE WITH DIGNITY Even the way we distribute meat matters. Izhar cautions against practices that prioritise the privileged, giving the best cuts to the wealthy while handing off leftovers to the needy. 'That is not right. This practice teaches justice, patience, and empathy,' he said. 'It educates us about effective and ethical management (husnul tadbir) in religious obligations. It trains both our spiritual and physical selves to become better people and responsible stewards (khalifah) in realising the purpose of Qurban in the best possible way.'