Latest news with #TerengganuIslamicReligiousandMalayCustomsCouncil
New Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Climate
- New Straits Times
100 graves relocated from Terengganu cemetery due to coastal erosion risk
KUALA NERUS: A total of 100 graves at the Kampung Pengkalan Maras Islamic cemetery in Batu Rakit are being relocated in stages due to the risk of being swept away as a result of coastal erosion. Terengganu mufti Datuk Dr Mohamad Sabri Haron said the relocation works, which involve graves situated too close to the shore, were approved by his office and carried out by the Kuala Nerus district religious office in collaboration with the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam), Kuala Nerus District Office, Pengkalan Maras Village Development and Security Committee and with help from villagers. "There is no issue in relocating the graves that are at risk, as it will lead to bigger problems if they are not moved," he said. Sabri said relocation works of the affected graves to a new site, the Hajar Kampung Gong Awang Lib Islamic Cemetery, located around 2km away from the original cemetery, will be completed as soon as possible before the monsoon season arrives. "If possible, we want to complete it as soon as we can before more severe erosion occurs during the monsoon season, as we're concerned that more graves could be swept away. However, it also depends on factors such as the weather and others," he said. At the end of November last year, five remains, including three that were still wrapped in burial shrouds, had to be reburied after being swept away by waves due to coastal erosion. Norhayati Sulaiman, 51, said she felt grateful that her long-standing worry had come to an end with the relocation of her father's grave to a safer location. "Over the past year or two, even outside the monsoon season, whenever I visited my late father's grave, I could feel sea spray hitting my face. His grave was only about two metres from the shore, so it had been a constant source of anxiety for me," said the housewife. She expressed her appreciation for the concern shown by all parties involved in relocating the at-risk graves, including her late father's. Laila Othman, 57, said that although some may view the coastal erosion affecting the cemetery as a misfortune, she was grateful for the opportunity to ease her longing by witnessing the relocation of her husband's grave today. "Today, I feel as though Allah S.W.T. has granted me the opportunity to 'meet' my late husband, Mustafa Adong, who passed away on Dec 20, 2012, due to diabetes—even if it is in a different way," said the state government employee.
Barnama
16-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MAIDAM Transforms Asnaf Lives Through Education, Entrepreneurship
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has transformed the lives of asnaf groups, including helping them break out of poverty, through high-impact education and entrepreneurship programmes. Its chief executive officer Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan said that strategic collaboration with institutions of higher learning and private hospitals has enabled asnaf children to be trained in nursing, eventually securing permanent employment. 'So by the end of their studies, they will undergo formal training in hospitals and then move straight into employment. This completes the circle — zakat funds are being used in a truly optimal way,' he said on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme last night. In addition, Ahmad Azrin stated that more than 70 per cent of the state's zakat collection is distributed to the poor and needy, with the current focus on developing productive capacity, which encompasses financial, emotional and spiritual support. He said MAIDAM's success has also been recognised with the receipt of the National Zakat Award under the entrepreneur category, proving the effectiveness of its empowerment programmes in producing self-reliant zakat recipients. 'MAIDAM's assistance is not just financial; we also provide emotional and spiritual support,' he said. He added that MAIDAM is also leading innovative initiatives in Islamic fund management, such as wakaf-based investments through Exchange Traded Funds and a solar energy wakaf project, which is currently undergoing approval. He said MAIDAM emphasises the importance of an integrated approach to poverty management, and is working on data integration between agencies to expedite and streamline the aid distribution process. 'We cannot take a siloed approach; instead, we need the cooperation of all parties to address poverty issues,' he said.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MAIDAM empowers asnaf through education and entrepreneurship in Terengganu
KUALA LUMPUR: The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has successfully uplifted asnaf communities through targeted education and entrepreneurship programmes, breaking cycles of poverty. Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan, MAIDAM's chief executive officer, highlighted the council's strategic partnerships with universities and private hospitals. These collaborations enable asnaf students to train in nursing, securing stable employment upon graduation. 'So by the end of their studies, they will undergo formal training in hospitals and then move straight into employment. This completes the circle — zakat funds are being used in a truly optimal way,' he said during an appearance on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme. Over 70 per cent of Terengganu's zakat funds are allocated to the poor and needy, with a strong emphasis on productive capacity development. This includes financial aid, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to ensure holistic empowerment. MAIDAM's efforts have earned recognition, including the National Zakat Award in the entrepreneur category, validating its success in creating self-sufficient zakat recipients. Beyond financial aid, MAIDAM pioneers innovative Islamic fund management, such as wakaf-linked investments through Exchange Traded Funds and a solar energy wakaf project awaiting approval. Ahmad Azrin stressed the need for integrated poverty management, advocating for inter-agency data sharing to streamline aid distribution. 'We cannot take a siloed approach; instead, we need the cooperation of all parties to address poverty issues,' he added. - Bernama
The Sun
30-06-2025
- The Sun
JHEAT warns against superstitious acts at Nurly Sahirah's grave
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (JHEAT) has issued a stern warning against superstitious practices at the gravesite of Nurly Sahirah Azman, one of the victims of the recent fatal bus crash in Gerik, Perak. JHEAT Enforcement Division Chief Assistant Commissioner Aizi Saidi stated that any acts violating Islamic law, such as khurafat (superstitious beliefs) or syirik (idolatry), may face penalties under Section 3A of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2001. Offenders could be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed for three years. Aizi confirmed that JHEAT, through the Besut Religious Office Enforcement Unit, will conduct regular monitoring to prevent such practices. 'Witchcraft, sorcery, or any act contradicting Islamic teachings will not be tolerated,' he said. The warning follows a viral social media post alleging that visitors had taken soil from the grave for superstitious purposes. In response, Nurly Sahirah's family has cordoned off the area to prevent further incidents. Nurly Sahirah was among 15 Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) students who died in the June 9 crash when their bus overturned and collided with a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The accident also injured 33 others, including drivers and passengers.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- The Sun
UPSI bus crash: MAIDAM channels RM49,500 in aid to families and victims
JERTIH: The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has channelled RM49,500 in aid to the families and students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) who were affected by the tragic road accident on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak, on Monday. MAIDAM chief executive officer Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan said the families of the 15 students who perished will each receive RM1,500, while the 27 injured students will each receive RM1,000. 'This assistance is hoped to ease their burden, as the majority of the students involved come from families who are recipients of MAIDAM's aid for the poor and needy. 'In addition, our visit today is also to gather information on any further assistance the families may require,' he told reporters after presenting the contribution to Maslan Abdul Rahman, 58, the father of Nor Ayuni, 21, who died in the accident, at their home in Felda Tenang, here. Ahmad Azrin said 13 of the students who perished were from families receiving aid under MAIDAM's hardcore poor and poor (asnaf fakir and miskin) categories. 'Of the 27 injured students, 13 are also from zakat-recipient families under the same categories. Meanwhile, 16 of the students involved in the crash were recipients of MAIDAM's Higher Education Early Assistance,' he said. On Monday, 15 UPSI students were killed when a chartered bus carrying them from Jertih to the main UPSI campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned in an accident involving a Perodua Alza on the JRTB. The accident also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver and co-driver, as well as the driver and three passengers of the Perodua Alza.
