| Lyna Mohamad & Danial Norjidi |
MORE than 40 students and lecturers from Kolej International Graduate Studies (KIGS) participated in a workshop organised and conducted by Strayholders on Thursday.
Held at the Business Marketing and Communication Centre at KIGS in Kiulap, the workshop aimed to raise awareness on the situation of stray animals in Brunei and at the same time provide participants the opportunity to learn about the importance of caring for animals from an Islamic perspective.
It was shared in a press release that the workshop was targetted at youth in their late teens to adults who are passionate about learning more on how to help strays. The workshop began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Muhd Masrur bin Abang Zainuddin, followed by welcoming remarks from Strayholders Head Noor Amal Azirah binti Haji Azlan.
The first workshop was a talk on the situation of strays in Brunei delivered by Project Leader of the Strayholders Workshop Nor Amalina binti Haji Abdul Rahim, followed by a quiz on stray animals conducted by Nur Nazurah binti Haji Muhd Alizul.
The second module was a talk on caring for animals and pets from an Islamic perspective titled ‘Animal Care: An Islamic Perspective,’ which was delivered by Strayholder member and lecturer from Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Mohd Hilmy Baihaqy bin Haji Awang Yussof.
The workshop ended with a practical demonstration on how to cleanse oneself after rescuing a stray animal in need under the module of ‘Binatang and Taharah’ facilitated by invited lecturer from KUPU SB Ustaz Haji Syahiran bin Haji Md Sofian.
Strayholders also collaborated with local pet store Nimanja Inc Sdn Bhd, which donated its products to one of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in rescuing, rehabilitating and caring stray animals, Care and Actions for Strays (CAS).
Formed in August 2017, Strayholders is made up of six government officers from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs who were part of the Young Executive Programme (Cohort – 2) under the Civil Service Leadership Pipeline (CSLP), an initiative by the Public Service Department, Prime Minister’s Office.
