Govt to continue handing out grants for surau, mosque upgrading works – MP
MIRI: Government would continue to upgrade the facilities at mosques and suraus here, particularly those in the rural areas, assured Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
However, he also said such works must be done under proper planning.
“Let me know if there’s any mosque or surau in my area that needs to be improved.
“The government has set aside s special allocation meant for the development of suraus and mosques.
“This special allocation can be used either to build new places of worship, or to upgrade the facilities of the existing ones,” he said in a speech prior to presenting Ramadan contributions to suraus and mosques in hios constituency, at Masjid AlFirdaus in Taman Tunku here yesterday.
Adding on, the parliamentarian called upon surau and mosque management committees to work together towards diversifying the functions of these institutions beyond being mere houses of worship.
“Surau and mosque committees can help improve the welfare and well-being of their respective communities, and contribute positive social impact to their neighbourhoods.
“The management committees should take the initiative of assisting the needy folks amongst their respective communities.
“Through the donations that you have received either from individuals or corporate bodies, you can extend help to the deserving people under the welfare programmes of your respective mosques and suraus,” he said.
Lukanisman also called upon the surau and mosque committees to help Muslim students from poor families, or Muslim orphans in their education.
“It’s really regrettable that some poor students and orphans are unable to continue their studies due to financial constraints.
“In this respect, I call upon the surau and mosque management committees to identify the poor students and orphans living in their areas who are in need of education assistance,” he pointed out.
Later at the function, the MP presented some government grants and ‘kurma’ (dates) to 10 suraus and four mosques.
Earlier, he handed over similar contributions to eight mosques and 32 suraus at Masjid Al-Muttaqin in Bekenu.
It is reported that Lukanisman had recently distributed government grants totalling RM63,000 to all suraus and mosques under the jurisdiction of his parliamentary constituency.