Ihsan Newsletter-FA.indd
Transcription
Ihsan Newsletter-FA.indd
������������������������������� ������������������������������ A PUBLICATION OF ������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������� C O M PA S S I O N • C O M M U N I T Y • C H A R I T Y No 21 January 2009 Percuma / Free MICA (P) 255/04/2008 Challenges Ahead! Awas: Cabaran Menanti! INSIDE Up Close & Personal: Together Towards Success Willing Hearts, Helping Hands C O M PA S S I O N • C O M M U N I T Y • C H A R I T Y MTFA Council of Management 2007 - 2009 President Mohd Yunus Valibhoy Contents Kandungan 3 Community Challenges Ahead Masyarakat Di Ambang Cabaran 4 Up Close & Personal: Together Towards Success Bersama-sama Menuju Kejayaan 6 In & Around: Our Visits 7 In & Around: Our Visitors 8 Caution: Challenges Ahead! Awas: Cabaran Menanti! Vice-President Dr Abdul Rahim Leyman Secretary Ali Zafar Treasurer Mirza Iskander Namazie Darul Ihsan Orphanage Dr Abdul Rahim Leyman Welfare Yahya Mohamed Aljaru Burial Services Daing Mohd Farhan Hashim Properties & Investments M Salleh Abu Talib Human Resource Management Fuziah Muhamad Taha Publicity Bashir Basalamah 11 Diary of Events 2008 Members Ariff Sultan Mirza Mohamad Namazie Syed Haroon Aljunied 12 Willing Hearts, Helping Hands 14 Where your ZAKAT went 15 2-Day Darul Ihsan Workshop on SOPs Donations to Madrasahs Editorial BOARD Editor Bashir Basalamah Design/Layout & Print The Print Lodge Pte Ltd IHSAN is a bi-annual publication of the MUSLIMIN TRUST FUND ASSOCIATION, SINGAPORE. The views and opinions expressed or implied in IHSAN are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. PUBLISHED BY Muslimin Trust Fund Association, Singapore 5 Mattar Road, Singapore 387713. For comments, feedback and advertising enquiries please contact: MUSLIMIN TRUST FUND ASSOCIATON 5 Mattar Road, Singapore 387713. Tel: 6746 5729 Fax: 6741 1609 Email: [email protected] From the Desk of the Dari Meja Editor Community Challenges Ahead Masyarakat Di Ambang Cabaran T T During times like these, the helping hands of charity organisations become even more crucial. Yet, even charity organisations fall on hard times, with fewer individuals able to give generously to the needy. Dalam keadaan yang sukar begini, huluran bantuan dari badan-badan amal menjadi lebih penting lagi. Namun, badan amal sendiri tidak terlepas daripada padah kemelesetan ekonomi, kerana berkurangnya bilangan dermawan yang mampu memberi sumbangan. Indeed, the ultimate test for charities during these challenging times is how well they can manage their programmes with a projected higher demand for assistance on the one hand and a potential decline in funds on the other. Pendeknya, dengan cabaran terbaru ini, badan amal akan mengalami ujian yang paling sukar. Di satu pihak, permintaan bantuan daripada golongan yang memerlukan kian bertambah. Di pihak lain pula, dana sumbangan para penderma dijangka merosot. As one of the oldest charitable Muslim organisations in Singapore, MTFA has remained committed to serving the needy through the ups and downs of the economy. We do this through direct and indirect means, using zakat funds and donations to provide financial and educational assistance, as well as by spreading our public education message through this newsletter. Sebagai salah sebuah badan amal Islam yang tertua di Singapura, MTFA sentiasa bertekad untuk membantu mereka yang kurang berkemampuan. Hal ini kami lakukan dengan cara langsung dan tidak langsung – dengan memanfaatkan wang zakat dan derma untuk menghulurkan bantuan kewangan dan pendidikan, serta dengan menyebarkan mesej pendidikan masyarakat melalui risalah ini. Our vision is that those whom we have assisted become strong and empowered, and in turn contribute to help others achieve similar heights of success. Hard times give us the opportunity to build our inner strength and resilience as Muslims. Let us hold out our hands and help one another, towards the ideal of a strong and cohesive society as explained by Rasulullah S.A.W in a Hadith: Cita-cita kami ialah supaya mereka yang telah dibantu akan belajar berdikari dan berdaya, hingga seterusnya dapat membantu orang lain mencapai kejayaan serupa. Kesukaran hidup memberi kita kesempatan untuk membina kekuatan dan daya tahan rohani sebagai umat Islam. Marilah kita hulurkan tangan untuk membantu sesama kita, menuju sebuah masyarakat yang teguh dan bersatu padu sebagaimana diketengahkan oleh Rasulullah S.A.W dalam sebuah Hadith: he new year has dawned upon us in the midst of recent aggravations in the global economy. A bleak shadow seems to have been cast on the year ahead. With a shocking number of workers worldwide being retrenched or seeing a cut in paychecks, many have been and will continue to be hit by the financial crisis. ...in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other, (the people) are like a single body; if one limb feels pain, the whole body becomes feverish and restless. Today, let us renew our pledge to be ready to serve Him and His. Amin. ahun 2009 tiba di tengah-tengah pergolakan yang dialami ekonomi dunia. Begitu ramai pekerja di serata dunia telah hilang pekerjaan atau mengalami pengurangan gaji yang ketara, dan semestinya keadaan ini akan mendatangkan kesan yang lebih meluas. ...saling kasih, saling menyayang dan saling cinta...umpama satu tubuh, jika satu anggotanya berasa sakit, anggota tubuh yang lain ikut sulit tidur dan demam. Marilah kita perbaharui ikrar untuk mengabdikan diri kepada Allah dengan berjasa kepada Hambanya. Amin. IHSAN • January 2009 3 Up Close & Personal: Together Towards Success To help those in need in the Muslim community so that they can, in turn, give back to society when they succeed. This was the crux of the message delivered by Mr Yahya Aljaru, Chairman of the Welfare Committee, in his welcome note to the parents and students present at the annual MTFA bursary award ceremony for college and university students. • Nursakinah Mohamed Ismail, final year NTU undergraduate And this sentiment was certainly shared by the students. When asked for her reactions to the bursary award, Nur Shaheda Abd Kadir, a fourth year Medicine student in NUS, replied with a smile: “Alhamdulillah, I am very thankful to the people at MTFA for awarding me the bursary. Insya Allah, I would be able to repay their kindness in future.” NTU’s Chemistry and Biological Chemistry undergraduate Nursakinah Mohamed Ismail, who is also in her final year, was equally grateful but also impressed by the way applications are processed. “I feel very honoured to have received this bursary for the third year running. MTFA has certainly tried their best to help students in need and I personally commend their efforts in getting to know students’ interests and ambitions better, as seen through their interview sessions.” How do the bursaries help the students? Mohammed Asraf Bin Mohtar from the Mechanical Engineering Course in NUS shared his experience. “I live in the eastern part of Singapore and I don’t stay in 4 IHSAN • January 2009 a hostel, so transportation costs to school and back can accumulate to quite a big sum. With this bursary money, a great burden is lifted,” he explained. Nursakinah spoke of her relief, now that her school fees are fully taken care of. “The school loan covers 70 percent of my fees, but there is still 30 percent to take care of. That totals up to roughly $2,000, so the MTFA bursary helps in this respect.” The bursary award ceremony for college and university students was held at the Darul Ihsan Building on 16 August 2008. MTFA President Mohd Yunus Valibhoy was the Guest-ofHonour. Among the recipients, 13 are currently studying in local tertiary institutions of NUS and NTU, and 17 are in Malaysian institutions such as the UKM and UIA. They were selected after a round of interviews. MTFA bursaries are funded with Zakat paid as a religious duty by Muslims. Students doing Medicine in NUS receive $3,000 while those pursuing other disciplines in local universities receive $2,000. Undergraduates in Islamic universities and colleges in Malaysia and the Middle East are awarded $1,000 and $600 respectively. MTFA hopes to be able to continue aiding Muslim students in their pursuit of education and climb to success. We wish the current recipients all the best in their future endeavours. Kejayaan Bersama-sama Menuju Membantu kalangan umat Islam yang memerlukan supaya mereka berjaya dan seterusnya dapat berjasa kepada masyarakat kelak. Begitulah inti sari ucapan Encik Yahya Aljaru, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kebajikan, kepada para hadirin di Majlis Penyampaian Dermasiswa MTFA untuk pelajar kolej dan universiti. Pandangan beliau turut didukung oleh para penerima dermasiswa kali ini. Apabila ditanya reaksinya setelah berjaya meraih bantuan, Nur Shaheda Abd Kadir, pelajar tahun empat bidang Perubatan di NUS, mengorak senyuman sambil berkata: “Alhamdulillah, saya sangat berterima kasih kepada pihak MTFA yang meluluskan dermasiswa ini untuk saya. Insya Allah, saya akan membalas budi baik mereka satu hari kelak.” Mahasiswa tahun akhir bidang Kimia dan Kimia Biologi NTU, Nursakinah Mohamed Ismail, turut menyatakan kesyukuran malah kagum pula dengan cara permohonannya diuruskan. “Saya sangat berbesar hati menerima dermasiswa ini bagi tahun ketiga berturut-turut. MTFA memang jelas berusaha seberapa daya untuk membantu pelajar yang memerlukan dan saya juga memuji hasrat mereka untuk memahami minat dan cita-cita pelajar melalui sesi temu duga.” Sejauh mana dermasiswa membantu para penerimanya? Begini pengalaman Mohammed Asraf Bin Mohtar, pelajar Kejuruteraan Mekanikal NUS. “Rumah saya terletak di kawasan Timur Singapura dan saya tidak menginap di asrama, jadi kos pengangkutan pergi balik ke universiti memang tinggi. Dengan wang dermasiswa ini, terlepas satu beban yang besar bagi saya,” jelasnya. Nursakinah pula begitu lega sekarang kerana yuran kursus sudah dapat ditanggung. “Pinjaman yang saya ambil di universiti menampung 70 peratus yuran kursus, tetapi ada 30 peratus lagi yang harus disediakan wangnya. Jumlahnya kira-kira $2000, jadi dermasiswa MTFA ini memang membantu.” Majlis penyampaian dermasiswa untuk pelajar universiti dan kolej telah berlangsung di Bangunan Darul Ihsan pada 16 Ogos 2008. Presiden MTFA, Encik Mohd Yunus Valibhoy, turut hadir sebagai Tetamu Terhormat. Di kalangan para penerima dermasiswa, 13 orang kini menuntut di institusi pengajian tinggi setempat iaitu NUS dan NTU, manakala 17 lagi di institusi Malaysia seperti UKM dan UIA. Mereka semua dipilih setelah menghadiri sesi temu duga. Dermasiswa MTFA dibiayai dengan dana Zakat yang dibayar oleh umat Muslimin bagi memenuhi tuntutan agama. Jumlah dermasiswa ialah $3,000 untuk pengajian Perubatan di NUS dan $2,000 untuk bidang yang lain di universiti tempatan. Mereka yang mengikuti pengajian agama di Malaysia dan Timur Tengah menerima $1,000 di peringkat universiti dan $600 di peringkat kolej. MTFA berharap dapat terus membantu pemuda-pemudi Islam kita yang bercitacita tinggi dan ingin meneruskan pendidikan. Semoga Allah melimpahkan barakah atas daya usaha mereka. • Penerima dermasiswa bersama Presiden dan Ahli Lembaga MTFA IHSAN • January 2009 5 In & Around: Visits Our Madrasahs: Re-affirming Our Ties In the latter half of 2008, MTFA Welfare Committee (WELCOM) paid a series of visits to the Madrasahs to further strengthen our ties. The visits started off with Madrasah Alsagoff and Madrasah Al-Arabiah in July, continued in September and October with Al-Maarif at their new premises and Al-Irsyad at their temporary location, while in November we visited Madrasah Aljunied and Madrasah Wak Tanjong. During the visits, the respective Mudir, VP, and senior Madrasah officials briefed us on their mission and vision as well as their operations and programmes. Our delegation in turn talked about MTFA’s various grants to the Madrasahs and assistance schemes for their students. Through the dialogue that followed, we gained a better understanding of each school’s strengths and needs, and the Madrasahs on their part gained an insight into how MTFA administers its assistance. PPIS As-Salaam Centre The PPIS Family Support Centre in Ubi Avenue runs support programmes for singleparent families, particularly those of lower socio-economic background. WELCOM visited the Centre in August to explore the possibilities of a tie-up that might benefit our younger clients. Following an enlightening briefing by Centre Director Ms Azita Abdul Aziz and her staff, the possibility of tapping on As-Salaam’s expertise in working with children who have lost a parent was also discussed. PERKEMAS To gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by Singaporean students pursuing studies in Islamic universities in the Middle East, WELCOM held a dialogue in August with the Al-Azhar University Singapore Students Society. The meeting with the PERKEMAS delegation led by its President, Mr Muhd Islaahuddin Jumat, was also attended by Ms Nur Aisyah Arshad, Executive of the Asatizah Network Strategic Unit in MUIS. As a result of this fruitful dialogue, WELCOM expects to make certain improvements to the processing of bursary applications by Islamic university students in the 2009 exercise. Mendaki-SENSE WELCOM’s visit to SENSE in August proved to be a fruitful one. SENSE is a MENDAKI unit dedicated to helping those affected by structural changes in the economy. Following a presentation of SENSE schemes and programmes by Business Manager Ms Shenaz and other centre officials, WELCOM found a definite match that meets the needs of our younger clients. As a result, several eligible clients have now been referred to SENSE for a Career Readiness workshop conducted in November, which will be followed by more focused employability training to equip them with the skills and confidence to enter the workforce. 6 IHSAN • January 2009 Visitors In & Around: Our Kampung Ubi-Kembangan CCC Darul Ihsan Orphanage was honoured with a visit by the Kampung Ubi-Kembangan CCC in September 2008. Led by Advisor Dr Ong Seh Hong, the visit was to familiarise the CCC with the work carried out by various charity homes within the constituency. MTFA President, Mr Yunus Valibhoy and Vice-President, Dr Abdul Rahim Leyman, welcomed the delegation. Since it was Ramadan, our visitors were also invited to join the orphanage residents, staff and management at iftar. Darul Ihsan welcomes such visits as opportunities for fostering goodwill, solidarity and trust with the larger community. We pray this will help us generate cooperation and collaboration for the benefit of the children under our care. Women’s Institute Bandar Alor Star, Kedah The Women’s Institute of Bandar Alor Star, Kedah, a community organisation providing aid to the poor and orphaned in the country, recently called on Darul Ihsan Orphanage in Mattar Road as part of their annual learning journey. The group, which included 42 orphans under the charge of the Women’s Institute, toured Kuala Lumpur and Johor before their arrival in Singapore. The trip enabled participants to learn about the cultures and lifestyles of people in different parts of the peninsula. The delegation was welcomed by the Darul Ihsan Management. Mdm Hajjah Siti Badriah, Managing Director of the Women’s Institute, gave a short introduction about the work of the organisation. The Kedah children presented a lovely nasyid performance and our visitors were taken on a tour of the dormitories. The visit ended with a hearty lunch for everyone. The Kedah delegation left in high spirits. Souvenirs were exchanged and the visit provided both parties with an increased network of contacts. The programme gave Darul Ihsan a chance to touch base with similar community organisations elsewhere, and to learn and share best practices in serving the welfare of orphans. IHSAN • January 2009 7 Challenges Ahead! The current financial crisis has been hogging newspaper headlines and occupying our minds. Thousands of people around the world have lost their jobs or suffered a drop in income. With such a bleak outlook for the future, should we put up our hands in despair? How do we keep our sanity in the midst of all this gloom? Experts suggest that when times are tough, it is that much more important to bolster our strength in facing the challenges. STRENGTHEN THE MIND W. Mitchell was a happy, active young man when a motorcycle accident left him disfigured with burns to 65 percent of his body. His face and fingers were burnt off. Four years later, he was involved in a plane crash that left him paralysed from the waist down and permanently bound to a wheelchair. Today however, Mitchell lives a full and fruitful life. He is a successful businessman, a passionate environmental activist, a speaker and an author. He said: “It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it. Before my accident I could do 10,000 things. Now I can do 9,000 things. I can either spend the rest of my life focusing on the 9,000 things I can do or the 1,000 things I can’t do. The choice is mine - it’s up to me.” 8 STRENGTHEN THE BODY During tough times, it might be necessary for us to tighten our belts and make do with less. What are some of the ways we can do this? Trim the Fat No, we are not just referring to the ones around the thigh and waist. Our monthly expenses may include luxuries or entertainment we can do without. For instance, do we really need that new mobile phone package, that extra $50 per month on cable TV, or that weekly night out? Look at our spending patterns and trim the extras. Dealing with the unexpected and putting yourself back in charge; that’s the message of ‘The Man Who Won’t Be Defeated’. - W.Mitchell, The Man Who Would Not Be Defeated Cut Down on Wastage Utilities and fuel costs can make up a big chunk of our monthly expenses. Now that electricity, water and petrol prices have all gone up significantly, it makes sense to save money by cutting down on our use of these resources. Simple habits like not driving when we can walk, not using electricity and water unnecessarily, and buying only what we truly need can save us quite a bit of cash and reduce our demands on the environment. Although Mitchell was physically ‘broken’, his mind remained strong and his attitude gave him the power to overcome his challenges. This enabled him to pick up the pieces of his life, re-build a new one... and triumph. Downsize Is that big car really necessary? Or the big house? Or even that hot new plasma TV or entertainment system we’ve been eyeing? If we can lower our IHSAN • January 2009 expectations, put up with a little inconvenience, or be happy with less, our lives will be simpler and our budgets more manageable. STRENGTHEN THE SOUL When times are tough and our daily burden seems heavy for us to bear, it is important to remember that there is a blessing in everything. As Muslims, we believe that challenging times are a test from Allah: ...to direct us Perhaps Allah uses tough times to point us in new directions and down new paths. We can find many stories of people who, after going through a calamity, were forced to strike out in a new direction, and succeeded. ...to appraise us Tough times might be Allah’s way of appraising us – so that He can reward us according to our conduct and our deeds. Or they could be His way of making us appraise ourselves. How have we been living our lives? What have we done well? What can we do better? Are there misplaced priorities? ...to improve us Rasulullah S.A.W once said, as narrated by Abu Hurairah: When Allah wants to do good to someone, He afflicts him with trials. Often the only way to learn wisdom, courage, patience and compassion is when we meet with difficult times and are forced to develop these qualities. Whenever we feel discouraged over the hardships we go through, look around at Allah’s creation. Nature teaches us many important lessons: to be calm, to be patient. Night inevitably becomes day, clouds eventually give way to sunshine. Things will come full circle and nothing – neither problems nor solutions – can be rushed. Finally, we must remember Allah’s promise in the Quran: On no soul does Allah place A burden greater than that which it can bear. - Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286 May Allah give us the strength of mind, body and soul to overcome His challenges. Amin. AWAS: Cabaran Menanti! Krisis kewangan dewasa ini sering menjadi tajuk berita surat khabar dan mengisi fikiran kita. Ribuan orang di serata dunia diberhentikan kerja atau berkurangan pendapatannya. Dengan masa depan yang begitu muram, patutkah kita mengeluh kecewa? Bagaimana kita dapat terus bersabar dalam suasana mendung begini? Menurut pakar, apabila mengalami keperitan seperti ini, wajarlah kita meningkatkan lagi kemampuan diri untuk menghadapi cabaran. KUATKAN MINDA Bukan sekali W. Mitchell ditimpa malang, tetapi dua kali. Dulu dia pemuda yang aktif, tetapi akibat sebuah nahas motosikal, 65 peratus tubuhnya luka terbakar termasuk muka dan jarijarinya. Empat tahun kemudian, kapal terbang yang dinaikinya pula terhempas. Dia lumpuh dari pinggang ke bawah, dan kerusi roda kini menjadi teman setianya. Namun hari ini, Mitchell menjalani hidup bahagia dan berguna. Selain berjaya dalam perniagaan, dia juga menempah nama sebagai aktivis alam sekitar, penceramah dan penulis. Katanya: “Yang penting bukan apa yang terjadi, tetapi apa tindakan kita seterusnya. Kalau dulu saya boleh buat 10,000 perkara, sekarang cuma 9,000 perkara. Saya boleh hidup memikirkan 9,000 perkara yang saya boleh buat, ataupun 1,000 perkara yang saya tidak boleh buat. Terpulang kepada saya – tepuk dada, tanya selera.” Tabah menghadapi kejadian yang tidak disangka, dan meletakkan masa depan di tangan kita sendiri; itulah iktibar daripada ‘Orang Yang Tidak Mengaku Kalah’. Meskipun Mitchell ‘patah riuk’, dari segi minda dia tidak pernah hilang upaya. Sikapnya yang positif menjadi tenaga untuk mengatasi cabaran. Maka dia bangkit semula, memungut serpihan hidupnya, membina kehidupan baru ... dan akhirnya berjaya. IHSAN • January 2009 9 KUATKAN TUBUH Semasa zaman sukar begini, kita mungkin perlu mengikat perut dan bersedia mengurangkan belanja. Apakah antara cara-cara melakukannya? Kurangkan ‘Lemak’ ‘Lemak’ di sini bukan bermaksud yang di sekeliling pinggang, tetapi kemewahan dan perkara tidak perlu yang sering menjadi idaman kita. Lihat sahaja perbelanjaan bulanan. Adakah perlu, misalnya, untuk berganti telefon bimbit yang baru, menambah lagi $50 langganan TV kabel, atau makan di restoran tiap minggu? Kalau diteliti perbelanjaan kita, pasti ada yang dapat dikurangkan. Kurangkan Pembaziran Bekalan elektrik, air dan petrol semakin mahal. Kini semakin wajar kita cermat menggunakan sumber alam yang berharga itu. Tidak susah. Cuba jangan memandu kalau boleh berjalan kaki; jangan menggunakan elektrik dan air sesuka hati; dan beli hanya barang yang benar-benar diperlukan. Sikap sebegini bukan sahaja membantu menjimatkan wang, malah mengurangkan pemusnahan alam. Hidup Mengikut Kemampuan Adakah perlu kereta yang baru itu? Rumah besar? TV plasma atau sistem hiburan canggih yang anda inginkan itu? Kalau impian dapat dibumikan, kalau kita sanggup bersusah payah sedikit, atau bahagia dengan apa yang ada, Insya Allah kerumitan hidup dapat dikurangkan dan perbelanjaan pun lebih terkawal. KUATKAN JIWA Apabila kehidupan semakin sukar dan beban setiap hari semakin berat ditanggung, penting diingati bahawa segala kejadian ada hikmahnya. Sebagai Muslimin, kita yakin bahawa cabaran hidup adalah ujian Allah: ...untuk mengarahkan kita Mungkin Allah menggunakan kesukaran hidup untuk menunjukkan kita arah dan jalan hidup yang baru. Kerap kita mendengar kisah mereka yang ditimpa bala hingga terpaksa mengorak langkah baru atau menempuh laluan baru, tetapi akhirnya berjaya. ...untuk menilai diri kita Kesukaran hidup mungkin juga cara Allah menilai diri kita – supaya kita dapat diberi ganjaran mengikut peri laku dan perbuatan kita. Atau mungkin supaya kita menilai diri sendiri. Bagaimana telah kita memanfaatkan kehidupan selama ini? Apakah kelebihan diri kita? Apa yang patut diperbaiki? Adakah kita silap meletakkan keutamaan dalam halhal tertentu? ...untuk memperbaiki diri kita Rasulullah S.A.W pernah bersabda, menurut riwayat Abu Hurairah: Barangsiapa yang diingini oleh Allah akan kebaikan, maka diujinya dengan musibah. Kadang kala, tidak ada cara lain untuk kita menjadi orang yang bijaksana, tabah, sabar dan penyayang, kecuali dengan menempuh kesusahan hidup. Apabila berasa hampa memikirkan pahit getir yang kita alami, lihatlah ciptaan Allah di sekeliling kita. Alam semesta banyak mengandungi pelajaran: supaya kita tenang dan bersabar. Alam sentiasa berubah – malam pasti berganti siang, mendung lambat laun akan diluputkan juga oleh sinar matahari. Segala kejadian silih berganti. Baik masalah mahupun penyelesaian, semuanya perlu menanti masanya. Akhir kata, ingatlah janji Allah dalam Al-Quran: Allah tidak membebani hambanya Kecuali dengan kesanggupannya. -Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286 Semoga Allah melimpahkan kita dengan kekuatan minda, tubuh dan jiwa untuk menempuh ujianNya. Amin. 10 IHSAN • January 2009 Diary July August of Events 2008 01 Launch of Friendship Meals Programme l Pelancaran Sajian Persahabatan 09 Welfare Comm visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Madrasah Alsagoff 22 Welfare Comm visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Madrasah Al-Arabiyah Al-Arabiah 16 College & Universities Bursaries Presentation l Penyampaian Dermasiswa MTFA 20 Talk on Zakat Computation for MTFA Staff l Ceramah Pengiraan Zakat 21 Darul Ihsan : Visit by l Lawatan WI Bandar Alor Star Kedah Welfare Comm Visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : PPIS Assalaam As-SalaamCentre Centre September 28 Welfare Comm Dialogue with l Dialog dengan PERKEMAS 29 Welfare Comm Visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Mendaki SENSE 01 Awwal Ramadhan 05 06 October November Darul Ihsan: Workshop on SOPs l Bengkel Peraturan Tetap Operasi 09 Welfare Comm Visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Madrasah AlMaarif Al-Maarif 21 MTFA AGM + Iftar l Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan MTFA + Iftar 01 Eid-ul-Fitri 09 Welfare Comm Visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Madrasah Al-Irsyad 05 Welfare Comm Visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Madrasah Aljunied 12 Welfare Comm Visit l Lawatan J/K Kebajikan : Madrasah Wak Tanjong 18 19 26 Darul Ihsan : Overnight Camp l Perkhemahan :diMasjid MasjidAlkaff AlkaffBedok BedokReservoir Reservoir Launch of SENSE Employability Programme for Aid Recipients l Pelancaran Program SENSE untuk Penerima Bantuan Kebajikan MTFA 29 December Darul Ihsan : Family Day at Changi Beach l Hari Keluarga di Pantai Changi 01 04 Darul Ihsan : Kids & Tweens aLIVE, Masjid Al-Istighfar 03 05 Darul Ihsan : Kids, Tweens & Teens aLIVE, Masjid Al-Istighfar 06 Darul Ihsan : Circus @ D’Marquee (Downtown East) 08 Eid-ul-Adha 13 Tea Party: Presentation of MTFA Grants to Madrasahs l Majlis Penyampaian Bantuan MTFA kepada Madrasah IHSAN • January 2009 11 WILLING HEARTS, Hands HELPING A Tribute to Our Volunteers Volunteers form the backbone of the Muslimin Trust Fund Association, and the volunteer spirit has supported and sustained our work since the organisation was formed in 1904. Our volunteers run a myriad of tasks at all levels of the organisation, from management to the actual legwork. Their willing hearts and helping hands have greatly benefited those we serve at MTFA. We begin with two individuals whose civic spirit have touched the lives of the beneficiaries of MTFA. Such is the commitment of Haji Mohd Zain Sarawadi and Mdm Predah Anam Hashim that volunteerism has become a large part of who they are and the lives they lead. This is apparent in the 30 years of voluntary service that each has given to Darul Ihsan’s Educational Financial Assistance (EFA) programme. Managed by a sub-committee of the Darul Ihsan Orphanage, the scheme oversees monthly financial assistance for close to 600 needy orphans who do not reside at the orphanage (see fact box). Who We Are & What We Do The EFA is a sub-committee of Darul Ihsan Orphanage. Its main role is to disburse financial assistance to underprivileged non-resident orphans, specifically for educational purposes. According to Sub-Committee Chairman Siti Nurhuda Abdul Aziz, the EFA currently provides financial aid to 557 recipients in 294 households, the majority of whom are in primary and secondary schools. Disbursements are made either by cash or GIRO. A team of 10 volunteers and a clerical officer handle most of the tasks, ranging from administering the programme, visiting clients at home, screening new applicants and monitoring existing cases, to disbursing payments. The EFA also aids those who have financial difficulties with the national examination fees (GCE ‘N’, ‘O’ and ‘A’ level). For volunteering opportunities, email us at [email protected]. 12 IHSAN • January 2009 Darul Ihsan Educational Financial Assistance (EFA) Programme • Our EFA team: (Front row, from left) Predah; Nurhuda; Yeantee and CO Rosnah. (Back row, from left) Syed Nasir; Capt Amasha; Nizam and Haji Zain. Haji Zain and Predah initially became involved in Darul Ihsan work when they helped out at fund-raising events. Conversations with them revealed two common traits that they share: passion and compassion. This was despite their different life experiences and ages. Haji Zain, who is 72 and first served in 1977, remained humble about his contributions. “Perhaps Allah has given me the gift of giving. I started volunteering simply because I was interested in the work that they did, and am certainly not expecting any rewards for helping out,” he maintained. Predah, who began volunteering in 1978, said it was all thanks to the avid encouragement of a close friend. “Initially, I just wanted to fill my weekends and free time with some meaningful work. Over time though, I grew to feel that it is my responsibility to help those who are in need in our community.” In contrast to our two veterans, another volunteer started just over a year ago. For Mohamed Nizam Ahmad Khalid, it is about giving back. “I was a former resident of Darul Ihsan, so I understand what these children are going through. I want to see them succeed in life so I do what I can to help them. Seeing the smiles of those I have helped in any small way, in return, makes me smile,” he remarked. “I enjoy helping out with the activities the EFA sub-committee conducts. So putting aside time for these activities is a pleasure for me.” Haji Zain and Predah – who were among the volunteers honoured for their enduring dedication at the MTFA 100th Anniversary Dinner in 2004 – are committed to serve for as long as they can. “As long as they need me and I am healthy enough to help out, I will do the best I can,” said Haji Zain. Like all other aspects of life, volunteering has its ups and downs. “However, one thing it has done is to open up my eyes to the difficulties the less privileged in our community go through,” Predah shared. “I once visited a family where the mother of five was working as a cleaner in the market to get by. Their financial situation and living conditions were heart-wrenching. One of her children, a 9-year-old boy, had to skip school in order to help take care of his brother.” Nizam, 22, affirms that volunteering has enabled him “to view the community from a different angle. However, rather than being a passive bystander, the volunteer gets that rare opportunity to make a difference – to understand their hardship and do something to alleviate their pain.” Volunteering also offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. Volunteer work not only benefits those who receive, but helps the giver to grow as well. While a long-service award is certainly much appreciated, the rewards of volunteering are as individual as the volunteers themselves. Predah has made many friends among the families that she has served through her work. For Haji Zain, volunteer work has enabled him to gain invaluable experiences as well as management and organisational skills. “The chance for me to mingle and get to know fellow volunteers who are more skilful and knowledgeable is truly a bonus. They are always willing to share their experiences with me. Thanks to them, I can now write up formal letters!” he shared candidly. Our three volunteers, thus, are testimony to the great sense of personal satisfaction one can achieve from giving for the welfare of others. They strongly urge others to consider giving up a bit of their time for this uplifting and rewarding work. “The most common reason we hear from individuals today is that they do not have the time to volunteer. If we can do a little bit of organisation and practise good time-planning, it certainly can be done. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Haji Zain remarked. IHSAN • January 2009 13 Where your ZAKAT went ������������������������������������������� ��������������������� ������� � ������������ ����������������� ������������ ������������������������ ��������������������� ������������������ ����� ��������� �������������� ������ ������ ��������� ������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������ ������������������������������������������������ � � ������������ ������������������������������������������������������� � ������������ ���������������������������������������������� � ������������ � ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� 14 IHSAN • January 2009 2-Day Darul Ihsan Workshop on SOPs Standardising Processes and Procedures An in-house workshop was conducted for Darul Ihsan staff in September 2008 to review, update and standardise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the two homes. The two-day workshop, held at the Darul Ihsan Lilbanat Multi-Purpose Hall during the September school break, was attended by all supervisory staff of Darul Ihsan Orphanage, as well as senior Administration staff. Aimed at promoting standardised protocols in both homes, the workshop involved brainstorming sessions to identify the best practices to adopt for Darul Ihsan Lilbanin and Lilbanat. Sharing sessions and scenario discussions gave participants the opportunity to share their experiences and to discuss the challenges they face. Their conclusions are then crystallised into standard procedures for a variety of situations, including the admission of a new resident, medical and other emergencies, disciplinary issues, and daily routines. These SOPs will guide staff to carry out their duties well, thus greatly boosting staff morale and confidence. Several of the supervisory staff later remarked that they were energised by the discussions and now feel a sense of ownership of the SOPs, having had a big hand in crafting them. An intangible benefit for participants was that many also gained from the experience of voicing and defending their opinions and speaking in front of an audience. An enriching and fruitful two days for everyone. DONATIONS TO MADRASAHS This year, MTFA donated a total of $161,800 to six local full-time madrasahs. MTFA President, Mr Mohd Yunus Valibhoy, presented cheques to the madrasah principals and representatives at a tea reception held at the Darul Ihsan Boys’ Orphanage building on Saturday, 13 December 2008. The objective of the donations is to assist the madrasahs in funding a variety of their educational programmes. Amounts donated ranged from $10,000 to $91,800 and were based on submissions made by the madrasahs to MTFA. A total of 4,131 students are expected to benefit from these contributions. The 6 full-time madrasahs which received the donations were: • Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah • Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah • Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah • Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah • Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah • Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah IHSAN • January 2009 15 INSPIRED TO GIVE? We Welcome Your Contributions... Would you like to VOLUNTEER your services? OFFER donations? GIVE your Zakat? MTFA operates the Darul Ihsan Boys’ and Girls’ Orphanages, which care for Muslim orphans and see to their daily material and spiritual well-being as well as their educational needs. MTFA also has a scheme to provide educational financial aid for orphans who do not reside in these two homes. MTFA provides a burial service which takes care of the burial of poor or indigent Muslims who have passed on in Singapore, and whose bodies are left unclaimed. MTFA also collects zakat and distributes them according to the eight authorised categories of recipients or asnaaf. These include financial assistance to the poor as well as assistance in the form of bursaries for religious and secular studies to needy students. MTFA also disburses a portion of its rental income to six local full-time madrasahs annually towards their administration and educational projects. INGIN MENABUR BAKTI? Anda ingin menyumbangkan tenaga SUKARELA? menghulurkan DERMA? membayar ZAKAT? MTFA menguruskan Rumah Anak Yatim Darul Ihsan Lilbanin dan Lilbanat, yang memberi perlindungan untuk anak yatim Islam dan menyediakan segala keperluan mereka dari segi makan pakai, pendidikan dan bekalan rohani. MTFA juga menguruskan skim bantuan kewangan pendidikan bagi anak yatim yang tidak tinggal di kedua Rumah tersebut. MTFA menyediakan perkhidmatan pengebumian percuma untuk orang Islam yang meninggal dunia tanpa keluarga, atau yang keluarganya tidak mampu menanggung biaya pengebumian. MTFA menerima bayaran zakat dan mengagihkannya mengikut lapan asnaf yang ditetapkan, termasuk bantuan kewangan untuk golongan fakir miskin, dan biasiswa untuk pelajar pengajian tinggi jurusan agama dan sekular. MTFA mengagihkan sebahagian daripada pendapatan sewa hartanahnya kepada enam madrasah sepenuh masa setiap tahun, bagi menampung keperluan pentadbiran dan projek pendidikan. Kecil tapak tangan nyiru ditadahkan... CONTACT US TODAY HUBUNGI KAMI MUSLIMIN TRUST FUND ASSOCIATION 5, Mattar Road Singapore 387713 Tel : 6747 7556 For more information, please visit our website at www.mtfa.org