Muslim women entrepreneurs urged to brave business challenges
Muslim women entrepreneurs in Sabah are urged to be brave in meeting business challenges in order to be successful at whatever they are doing.
They must also strive to be better than their competitors, assistant minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, said.
This is because there is a positive growth in the number of Muslim women entrepreneurs in Sabah, he said when opening a ‘The Hijab World’ outlet in a shopping mall here yesterday.
“With so much competition, Muslim women entrepreneurs must work hard to be the best among their peers,” he said.
According to him, there is a significant increase in the number of outlets selling products used by Muslim women, such as head scarves.
He added that the State Government is always supportive of entrepreneurs who are brave enough to respond to challenges and do their best to make their business work.
“The State Government’s support to these people is in the forms of providing funds as well as training for the entrepreneurs. In fact, JHEAINS (Sabah Islamic Affairs Department) is also helping out by providing facilities, such as bazaars, for them to conduct their business,” he said.
Among these bazaars are those located on the grounds of the City mosque, Sandakan mosque and the Bukit Padang mosque, Arifin said, adding that this year, JHEAINS and Sedcovest Holdings Sdn Bhd are planning to build a bazaar at the state mosque grounds.
The location for the bazaar has been identified and the plan is to construct 40 kiosks there, Arifin said, and disclosed that the main business would be the sale of religious items.
After the opening ceremony, Arifin witnessed the presentation of donations by The Hijab World CEO, Normah Mammad, to three welfare organizations, namely, the Hidayah Centre which received RM5,000, Rumah Anak Yatim Membakut (RM3,000) and Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti Membakut (RM2,000).