Courtesy Visit by Kuala Muda Branch to PERKIM National Strengthens Dakwah and Welfare Agenda

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 – The Honorary Secretary-General of the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM), Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, received a courtesy visit from a delegation of PERKIM’s Kuala Muda District Branch at the organisation’s National Headquarters in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah here on Friday morning.

The delegation was led by Kuala Muda Branch Chairman, Ustaz Imron Kochem Haji Abdullah and comprised Honorary Secretary Hajah Normizah Zain, Assistant Secretary Ustazah Juhana Halimah Johari, Honorary Treasurer Haji Abdul Raof Md Zain, committee member Siti Meriam Shariff and volunteer Ulfa Marfitasari Mohammad Lutfi.

The bilateral meeting aimed to exchange views and ideas to further strengthen dakwah, welfare and educational efforts for converts (mualaf), particularly in navigating increasingly complex contemporary challenges.

During the discussion, the Kuala Muda Branch presented updates on the development of its transit home project established to assist converts from across the country, not limited to Kedah.

The construction and maintenance costs have reached hundreds of thousands of ringgit, with a substantial portion financed through the branch’s own fundraising initiatives, a reflection of its strong commitment and self-reliance.

Dato’ Dr. Marzuki stressed that independently initiated efforts deserved support, but financial management must be conducted transparently and with discipline to avoid burdening the division or affecting organisational stability.

“Every allocation must be clearly accounted for and based on actual capacity. We extend assistance based on necessity, not emotion,” he said firmly.

The meeting also underscored the importance of adopting a wise and strategic approach to dakwah within Malaysia’s plural society.

According to Ustaz Imron, the Kuala Muda transit home currently houses converts from diverse backgrounds, including the Orang Asli community as well as Indian and Chinese communities.

Among them are converts with special needs, including the deaf and mute, who require tailored approaches such as sign language classes and customised religious guidance.

He added that the need for both male and female instructors, according to gender suitability, was also discussed to ensure proper decorum and adherence to syariah requirements in every learning session.

The issue of the transgender community in Sungai Petani was also raised as one of the contemporary challenges in dakwah efforts.

Some members of the community have been attending basic religious classes, including Iqra’ and fardu ain guidance, through a phased approach coupled with careful monitoring.

The approach adopted, he emphasised, is not punitive but centred on guidance delivered with wisdom and patience.

Family pressure and peer influence were identified as among the key contributing factors requiring serious attention.

Nevertheless, Dato’ Dr. Marzuki acknowledged the Kuala Muda Branch as a model of an active and self-sustaining branch capable of managing a large-scale transit home systematically.

“Initiatives driven independently demonstrate sincerity and commitment. We do not wish to dampen good efforts, but rather to strengthen them with proper guidance and support,” he said.

The meeting further proposed that joint programmes between PERKIM National and the Kuala Muda Branch be coordinated after Ramadan as part of preparations to intensify dakwah initiatives heading into 2026.

Overall, the courtesy visit reflected the Kuala Muda Branch’s strong commitment to empowering dakwah and welfare initiatives for converts through practical, inclusive and wisdom-based approaches.

At the same time, PERKIM National emphasised the importance of sound organisational governance, financial discipline and the professional, strategic management of convert-related issues.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dato’ Dr. Marzuki and PERKIM National Administration Director Dr. Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad presented PERKIM souvenirs to the delegation as a token of appreciation.

It is hoped that the visit will provide fresh input for PERKIM in planning dakwah, welfare and educational programmes for new Muslims, while strengthening collaboration between the national body and its branches in advancing the ummah agenda in a more structured and effective manner.

Also present were Dakwah Executive Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah; Dakwah Executive I Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah; Dakwah Executive II Ustazah Siti Munirah Sayed Mohd Hamdan; and Dakwah Executive III Ustazah Nur Syahirah Musa.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki warmly received and welcomed the delegation from the Kuala Muda District Branch of the PERKIM.

The bilateral meeting aimed to exchange views and ideas to strengthen dakwah, welfare and educational efforts for converts (mualaf).

Dato’ Dr Marzuki emphasised that initiatives undertaken independently deserve due support.

Ustaz Imron Kochem presented the profile of PERKIM’s Kuala Muda District Branch, which is equipped with facilities such as a transit home, PERKIM Hall, office and café, to Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

PERKIM Kuala Muda volunteer Ulfa presented a token of appreciation to Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki presented a PERKIM memento to the Chairman of PERKIM Kuala Muda, Ustaz Imron Kochem.

PERKIM Kuala Muda Secretary Hajah Normizah Zain received a PERKIM souvenir from Dr Suariza.

Ustaz Imron Kochem presented a khat calligraphy memento to Dato’ Dr Marzuki, followed by a commemorative photo session at the conclusion of the visit.