SANDAKAN: All Maahad Tahfiz (private Islamic schools) must be registered with the State religious department (Jheains) so that it can be coordinated, including to benefit government assistance under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, said such measure is important in terms of better coordination, management and supervision of the Maahad Tahfiz.
“It is also to avoid arising matters such as creation of unregistered Maahad Tahfiz and have to bear high operational costs that might incur,” he said.
Ahmad Marzuk said this to the reporters after officiating a Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Wadi Syuib and Tabung Musaadah Food Basket donation in Kampung Bonggaya Baru, here.
Also present were Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) Sandakan branch Religious Administration Officer Romzi Abdul Rahman, Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Wadi Syuib headmaster Firdaus Shuaib and other officials.
At the ceremony, Ahmad Marzuk also presented a contribution of RM20,000 to help complete the infrastructure of the Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Wadi Syuib so that it can operate properly.
At the same ceremony, he also presented food basket donations due to Covid-19 pandemic to three of among 150 recipients from the village totalling RM150,000.
The donation was handed over to the recipients’ representative, Community Development Officer (UPPM) for Sekong, which will be distributed to 150 residents of the village.
Ahmad Marzuk said the government, through Jakims has allocated a fund of RM140 million to be distributed to Maahad Tahfiz centres throughout the country, which is, among others, to assist in providing construction of infrastructure and their buildings apart from assisting the Maahad Tahfiz management expenses.
Regarding the Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Wadi Syuib Kampung Bonggaya Baru which is located in the Batu Sapi area, he hoped the Maahad Tahfiz will able to produce successful tahfiz (Muslims who memorise the Al-Quran) and preachers.
He said, of course, this is also the hope of parents who want their children to succeed in acquiring Islamic knowledge based on the Islamic teaching and values.
At the same time, Ahmad Marzuk said there is an effort to collaborate relevant authorities under his jurisdiction to introduce living and TVET skills that can provide opportunities to the Maahad Tahfiz children in the country.
Another reason, he said, is for the children to gain skills, competencies, as well as religious knowledge and get employment opportunities based on their skills and education.
Earlier, Firdaus said the Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Wadi Syuib was built in May last year and the construction completed within six months with cooperation and volunteerism manpower from the Maahad Tahfiz staff, villagers and support from UPPM Sekong and Jakim Sabah.
It started operating in November last year with 70 students from Batu Sapi.
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