Pre-loved clothing project benefits 1,700 needy folks in S’wak
MIRI: The ‘Infak Baju Raya Al Bait’ project has benefitted more than 1,700 needy folks in Sarawak since its launch in Kuching last year
Initiated by Yayasan Kepimpinan Al Bait (YKAB) and run in collaboration with Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS), this project has been well received by the community since its introduction and expansion to other areas across the state, says TBS general manager Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Nailie.
“Following such a good response, we are expanding this project to Miri in collaboration with the Miri branch of Hikmah (Harakah Islamiah, a non-governmental Islamic organisation), meant to ease the burden of our community who need clothes during festivals, or to be used throughout the year.
“This project was inspired after we saw many in our community, who were capable and had a lot of clothes – many of which had been worn only once or twice – donating them for a good cause.
“In fact, some of us have received clothes that still have tags on them.
“Alhamdulillah (all praise be for Allah) YKAB and also the volunteers were able to collect lots of clothes that could be distributed to those in need,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Infak Baju Raya Al Bait-Miri Division’ project at Masjid AtTaqwa’s Tun Rahman Hall here, where TBS Miri Head Marini Juraibi, YKAB representative Nur Syahmina Abdul Ghanie and Hikmah Sarawak communications secretary Raihan Usop were also present.
Abang Mohd Shibli added that all the programmes run by TBS highlighted efforts to help improve the well-being of the needy and affected communities.
“We hope that Muslims, especially those who are able to pay ‘zakat’ (tithe), and able to donate used and still good clothes, would come to TBS or meet YKAB volunteers, or go to Hikmah Miri, where they can help us continue this noble cause,” he said.
Earlier, Abang Mohd Shibli also presented donations in the form of schoolbags to 50 poor students under the ‘Back to School’ programme.
“The objective of this programme is to establish awareness among these children, enabling them to see the importance of education as something vital and necessary for them to continue on in life.
“They cannot continue to let what happened to their families (poverty) continue on; they must take the first step (through education).
“Although this donation is in the form of schoolbags, the bag itself is a symbol that can encourage them to bring books (to school),” he said.
At the same event, Abang Mohd Shibli also presented Baitulmal food rations to four poor families.
Those needy folks who are in need of clothes are welcome to get them, under the ‘Infak Baju Raya Al Bait’ project, at Masjid At-Taqwa Miri, which is open every Friday from 10am to 2pm.