Kota Kinabalu: The Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sabah (Jheains) will assess the need for more religious teachers, including Al-Quran and Fardu Ain Class (Kafa) instructors, in Pulau Gaya to meet the growing demand for Islamic education among children in the area.
State Islamic Affairs Exco and Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said discussions will be held with Jheains to determine the actual requirements, including the number of teaching personnel needed such as Kafa and Takmir teachers.
“We will discuss with Jheains to determine the real needs, including the provision of Kafa and Takmir teachers to ensure religious education programmes can be carried out in a more organised manner,” he said.
Arifin also noted that the Member of Parliament for Putatan had provided a new building for Kafa classes, describing it as a positive development for the community.
He said this when met during the Sahur and Subuh Prayer Programme with asnaf at Pulau Gaya on March 14.
Among those present were Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Shahelmey Yahya, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Isnin Aliasnih, Sabah Mufti Bongsu @ Aziz Jaafar, Sabin Samitah and Chief Executive Officer of the Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah (Muis), Ramlan Ag Ali.
Arifin said discussions would also be held with the Putatan MP to identify mosques and surau in Pulau Gaya that require repairs or upgrading.
“Through visit programmes like this, we can obtain direct information from mosque and surau chairmen as well as community leaders on the actual needs in the area,” he said.
“This information is important so that assistance can be channelled in a more planned manner and benefit the local community.”
Arifin added that the programme would be made an annual event during Ramadan to ensure the local community continues to benefit from it. More initiatives are also being planned to strengthen Islamic appreciation among residents in the area.
He also expressed appreciation to several organisations that contributed to the programme, including Yayasan Tun Razak, which donated copies of the Quran to mosques and surau on the island.
In addition, Muis through its zakat division provided financial assistance to about 10 mosques and surau in Pulau Gaya. Each mosque received RM5,000 while surau received RM3,000 to help with management and utility costs.
“Contributions were also given to the asnaf group to help ease their burden,” he said.
