| Azlan Othman |
SOME 72 underprivileged people, residing in the vicinity of the Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Serusop, were presented yesterday with cash donations and gifts for their daily needs.
The gathering was one of several activities that took place at the mosque yesterday in celebration of Israk Mikraj.
The donations were presented by Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar, an advisor to the mosque committee.
Also in attendance was Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh, Director of the Mosque Affairs Department, together with other senior officials.
Seventeen of the recipients were single mothers or the destitute, while the remaining 52 were orphans.
Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar, advisor to the Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque committee, pre-senting donations to Abu Bakar bin Haji Sabtu
Pehin Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abdul Aziz presents a donation to an orphaned child. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
Imam Haji Muslim bin Haji Abdul Razak being interviewed by the media
Dayangku Noraini binti Pengiran Haji Bakar, a housewife with four kids from Kg Anggerek Desa and one of the recipients yesterday
Imam Haji Muslim bin Haji Abdul Razak said that the donations had come from the mosque’s committee members and its congregants, adding, “Giving donations is one way of assisting the underprivileged, and we must care for the welfare of orphaned children. We should show kindness to orphans and be gentle to them.”
One of the recipients, Dayangku Noraini binti Pengiran Haji Bakar – a housewife from Kampong Anggerek Desa, who has four children and earns money by selling scrap metals – shared with the Bulletin that her house currently has no pipe water supply, which has forced the entire family to subsist on rainwater.
“I receive a government allowance of $240, for my children’s education, since my husband is also unemployed,” she said.
Another recipient, Abu Bakar bin Haji Sabtu from Kampong Pancha Delima, who is wheelchair-bound with two children to care for, told the Bulletin, “I am currently working as caretaker of the Paraplegic and Physically Disabled building in Kampong Kiarong, with a monthly allowance of $300.
“I can still work for a living, even though I am disabled… My wife is also working with a cousin and running a food stall at the Gadong night market.”
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