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.