By Sheeda Fathil
KUALA SELANGOR, April 30 — The state government is urging more people to donate to its Selangor-Gaza Ehsan Development Fund as it looks to raise enough funds to build a new mosque and apartments in, and supply water tanks to, war-torn Gaza.
State executive councillor for housing and culture Borhan Aman Shah said to date, the state has raised almost RM3 million out of the overall RM8.7 million target.
“I call on all levels of the society to contribute to this fund so as to help Palestine,” he said at the Universiti Selangor (Unisel) Solidarity Assembly for Gaza at its Bestari Jaya campus, here, yesterday.
Borhan said following discussions, the state government has agreed to make the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam as a model for the development of the mosque in Gaza.
“God willing, once the funds have reached the target, we will wait for a green light from the Gaza administration to channel them and begin construction,” he said.
The Selangor-Gaza Ehsan Development Fund was launched by Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj on March 28, in conjunction with Nuzul Qu’ran.
Earlier in his speech, Borhan commended Unisel for organising the solitary assembly for Gaza, which saw the participation of over 1,000 staff and students.
“It clearly shows that the Unisel community is deeply concerned about the persecution and oppression of the Palestinians. This is an initiative that deserves praise. Congratulations to Unisel,” he said.
Meanwhile, Unisel vice-chancellor Datuk Mohammad Redzuan Othman said this is the first such gathering involving both students and staff of various races.
“This (Gaza oppression) is no longer a religious issue, but rather a humanitarian one. There are people being oppressed, persecuted and killed in Gaza. So, the Unisel community came together today in solidarity.”
On a separate matter, Borhan said the state government plans to extend the ‘Sons of Sidek’ exhibition at the Sultan Alam Shah Museum, which was scheduled to end today, by at least another month, following encouraging public response.
He said since its opening in November, the free exhibition has attracted over 10,000 visitors.
“The exhibition was meant to end tomorrow (today), but I will discuss with the Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (Padat) to extend it by at least one month.
“Previously, many were observing the fasting month and then celebrated Hari raya, so the number of visitors was a bit low. God willing, thousands more are expected to visit if it is extended.
The exhibition narrates the success story of Datuk Sidek Abdullah Kamar in grooming his five sons — Datuk Misbun, Datuk Razif, Datuk Seri Jalani, Abdul Rahman and Datuk Abdul Rashid — into world-renowned badminton players in his backyard at Kampung Kanchong Darat, Banting, Kuala Langat.
Among the items showcased are medals from the BWF World Championships, the All England Open Badminton Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, the SEA Games, and other awards accorded to the five siblings.
