April 2024

By Ummu Fatein Nadjihah The Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) 2023/2024, Mahallah Zaid Bin Harithah, successfully organised Ramadan Fi Qalbi: “The Touch of Bless”, a community-based event designed to uplift and celebrate the holy month of Ramadan within the IIUM Pagoh community. Held from 12th March to 6th April 2024, this initiative aimed to enliven the month through spiritually enriching activities that fostered a sense of unity and reflection. The official launch took place at the Musolla after the first taraweeh prayer, with Dr. Mohamad Suhaizi bin Suhaimi, Principal of Mahallah Zaid Bin Harithah, presiding over the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event welcomed over 1,400 participants, including all residents of Mahallah Zaid Bin Harithah (MZH), prominent figures from the Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages, and the surrounding community members near the Pagoh Education Hub. Throughout Ramadan, Ramadan Fi Qalbi: “The Touch of Bless” offered a series of programs with diverse activities, each curated to deepen spiritual awareness, foster cultural understanding, and enhance community ties. The flagship activities included the Sayembara Ramadan competition, One Ummah Many Traditions Webinar on Ramadan experiences across the world, and Ikatan Budi Nirmala, a traditional cooking event centred on the distribution of bubur lambuk, a cherished Ramadan dish. A key objective of the program was to help students focus on achieving Allah’s pleasure (Mardhatillah) through engaging in religious and spiritual activities. The Ramadan with Love: Healing with Quran event exemplified this, combining tadarus sessions under the guidance of naqib or naqibah, and a khatam Quran ceremony, where students collectively completed the Quran. Meanwhile, the Sayembara Ramadan offered students a platform to showcase their talents in religious disciplines, including adhan, khat (Islamic calligraphy), tilawah, and hafazan (memorisation) competitions, fostering a stronger connection with their faith. The One Ummah Many Traditions Webinar – Ramadan Chronicles Worldwide was a unique addition, featuring international students from France, Japan, and the United States. This webinar highlighted Ramadan experiences from different cultures, offering insights into the global Muslim community’s shared devotion despite cultural differences. This subprogram provided an invaluable opportunity for IIUM Pagoh students to connect with Muslims around the world, broadening their perspectives and fostering a sense of international solidarity and empathy. The Ikatan Budi Nirmala program, which centred on the cooking and distribution of bubur lambuk, was another impactful initiative. By working together to prepare and share this traditional dish, students not only strengthened their friendships within IIUM but also reached out to students from neighbouring campuses, including UTHM and Politeknik Pagoh. This activity was a tangible expression of empathy, as students collaborated to distribute the dish to fellow students, cultivating compassion and community spirit in the process. Recognising the importance of maintaining both mental and physical well-being, the program also included recreational events such as Ar-Riyadah Fi Ramadan: Santai Pagi, which offered board game tournaments, and Spiritual Canvas: Ramadan Poster Quest, a Ramadan-themed poster-making competition. These activities provided students with a refreshing break from academic stresses while celebrating their talents and interests in a way that complemented the month’s spiritual atmosphere. The Ramadan Fi Qalbi: “The Touch of Bless” program successfully provided a comprehensive platform for students to immerse themselves in religious learning, community engagement, and cultural exchange throughout Ramadan. By combining faith-based competitions, cross-cultural webinars, and recreational activities, this initiative fostered a deeply fulfilling Ramadan experience for the IIUM Pagoh community. The program’s holistic approach enabled students to grow spiritually, build lasting bonds, and express their creativity, leaving a positive, memorable impact on all participants involved.

By Siti Nur Salsabilla Mohammad Zahir Ramadan is a blessed month for a muslim spiritual growth, the relationship with Allah The Almighty and nurture a positive mentality and akhlaq like fostering empathy and solidarity with those in need. Therefore, during Ramadan, the Welfare and Residential Bureau of the Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) launched a meaningful charity event, “Ramadan’s Treats: Filling Hearts, Filling Plates,”. As Welfare and Residential Bureau responsible to care for the students needs and well-being, they feel obligated to hold the event as their way to help the students that are facing some sorts of problems throughout their Ramadan in Mahallah. The program was held at Musolla Mahallah Zaid Harithah from March 12 to March 31, 2024, as it was an easy access for them as it was quite close to every residential unit. The initiative aimed to support students by offering free meals for iftar, moreh, and sahur, helping ease financial burdens while fostering a sense of community. The event was warmly welcomed by the local participants which had exceeded the donations expectations – above 150 participants per day. To entertain their enthusiasm on joining the program, the organizer diligently looked for various generous donors from various types of food and services companies such as Sushi Empire, Ramly burgers, and Tealive bubble tea. This selection brought excitement and joy to students, contributing to an uplifting Ramadan atmosphere on campus. This program has also provided 100-200 packs of food everyday throughout 20 days of the program. With the sponsorship and an additional from the budget, Welfare and Residential Bureau of the Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) have left a great remark and history to International Islamic University Malaysia Pagoh Ramadan’s charity events. Thus, the events did not did not only received a donation support, but they did also received a meals funding from the communities, families, staff and outsider as support for the charity events. Hence, the events held by the Welfare and Residential Bureau of the Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) are considered a great success for the committees as they are able to fulfill the needs of students and ensure that no students came across starvation throughout celebrating the month of Ramadan. The program was not only a success to the eyes of students, but they also succeeded to reinforce two goals out of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were SDG 1 -No Poverty- and SDG 2 -Zero Hunger-. By offering this support, the Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) demonstrated how even small community actions can have profound positive impacts on wellbeing and inclusivity within the student community. The events received an overwhelming positive feedback from the students, with many requesting that similar programs be organized in future Ramadans. Students suggested improvements, such as prioritizing those with financial needs and exploring collaborations with other societies to expand the program. The organizers take great consideration of the feedback for their future preference for upcoming Ramadan’s free meals, because today’s flaws are a great teacher for a bright future. The Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) “Ramadan’s Treats” has set a new standard for student charity events on campus, emphasizing compassion, community, and inclusivity. With plans to address feedback, the Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) aims to make future events even more impactful by potentially incorporating early fundraising and expanding partnerships to increase meal distribution capacity. Through these initiatives, the Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) hopes to continue its mission of enriching student life by not only providing sustenance but also fostering a supportive environment that reflects the spirit of Ramadan. The event serves as a reminder of the power of collective action in making a difference in students’ lives.