SERDANG, March 15 — Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj attended an iftar (fast breaking) event with about 1,000 Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) staff, students, and community members at Masjid UPM this evening.
On hand to greet His Royal Highness were UPM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, UPM board of directors’ chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Ibrahim Komoo, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Kadir, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, and UPM board directors.
At the event, Sultan Sharafuddin received donations for the Wakaf Ilmu UPM from individuals, UPM corporate partners, as well as from university staff and students, totalling RM1.98 million.
Wakaf Ilmu UPM was established in 2012 to meet the needs of and fund academic activities and towards financial assistance, research, and facility development for UPM residents.
His Royal Highness, who is also the UPM chancellor, also received the RM8.17 million Zakat Fund presented by Ahmad Farhan, and RM1.25 million from Projek Dana Wakaf Ilmu UPM, presented by UPM registrar Muhazam Mansor.
The Ruler also received RM158,177 in business zakat from UPM Holdings Sdn Bhd, Koperasi UPM Bhd, and TMJ Mesra Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd.
Sultan Sharafuddin received a RM400,000 Dana Wakaf Ambulan contribution from Tabung Haji presented by Lembaga Tabung Haji group managing director cum chief executive officer Syed Hamadah Syed Othman, for the use of the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Hospital (HSAAS), UPM.
His Royal Highness then presented a RM21,000 donation in duit raya to 30 UPM students comprising orphans, converts, the disabled, and asnaf (tithe recipients).
The Sultan then performed Maghrib, Isyak, and Terawih prayers with the people.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Farhan said this is the first buka puasa event organised after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event also celebrated about 70 international students who are currently undergoing the mobility programme at UPM.
“I am sure His Royal Highness wishes to meet the campus residents and people. In this way, the Sultan could go down to the field…,” he told Bernama.
Regarding the Wakaf Ilmu UPM, Ahmad Farhan said the distribution will be done in line with the university’s aspirations.
“We have many plans for this wakaf, and we have highlighted a strategy to use this endowment to give students the best learning and life experiences.
“Education involves costs, and we believe this wakaf can help if we manage it wisely,” he said.
— Bernama
