Kota Kinabalu: Organising the Mutiara Ramadan programme serves as a platform to strengthen spiritual values in efforts to build a progressive society with strong character.
President of the Muafakat Titipan Amal Isteri Wakil Rakyat Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (Mutiara GRS), Datin Seri Juliah Salag, said Muslims today are living in an era filled with challenges in values and thinking.
“Muslims must make the Al-Quran their main guide and reference in facing various intellectual and social challenges affecting society today.
“The Al-Quran is a remedy for restless hearts and a light that guides mankind out of darkness. It should not only be read, but also understood and practised as a companion in daily life,” she said.
Juliah said this when officiating the Mutiara Ramadan Programme at Dewan Saadah, Wisma MUIS, recently.
She said Ramadan is also a month of spiritual training that teaches Muslims about patience, sincerity and piety.
Juliah also hoped that such meaningful efforts will continue to be strengthened in the future.
“Hopefully, program like this will produce a society that is not only advanced in terms of physical development, but also strong in moral values and spirituality.
“Let us make this Ramadan a turning point to build a calmer soul, purify our hearts from negative traits and illuminate our homes and communities with the light of the Al-Quran,” she said.
The program was organised through a collaboration between the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains), Mutiara GRS and several agencies in the state to enliven the state-level Nuzul Al-Quran celebration in Sabah.
The event also featured a guest speaker from the Department of Shariah, Economics and Governance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Associate Professor Dr Sharifah Hayati Syed Ismail, who delivered a talk titled ‘Mutiara Ramadan: Building the Soul and Purifying the Heart with the Al-Quran’.
Wife of the Chief Minister, Datin Seri Juliah Salag, led a Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive cookies packing programme, which will be distributed to security personnel and healthcare workers in the state in conjunction with this year’s Aidilfitri celebration.
The annual programme organised by the Welfare Bureau of the Muafakat Titipan Amal Isteri Wakil Rakyat Sabah organisation (Mutiara GRS) was held at Rumah Mutiara GRS, with leaders and members of the organisation working together to prepare the festive cookie packages.
Juliah, who is also the President of Mutiara GRS, said the initiative was a gesture of appreciation for security personnel and healthcare workers who remain committed to carrying out their duties for the safety and wellbeing of the people, including during the festive season.
She said that for this year’s programme, Mutiara GRS prepared 30 boxes containing 300 packets of festive cookies, as well as 15 gift baskets to be distributed to recipients.
According to her, all the packages will be handed over to the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, on March 10 during the 2026 Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festive Cookies Handover Ceremony for Security Personnel and Healthcare Workers, before being distributed to the relevant agencies.
“This programme not only serves as a platform to foster a spirit of togetherness among Mutiara GRS members, but also provides an opportunity for us to share the joy of Aidilfitri with those who serve the community,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mutiara GRS Vice President I and Welfare Bureau Chairperson, Datin Seri Linda Ewit, said the cookie-packing programme is among the organisation’s annual activities that reflects its spirit of charity and concern for those who are always on the frontlines in safeguarding the safety and health of the people of Sabah.
