Tunku Noor Hayati Visits, Extends Zakat Aid to Convert Families

ᵇʸ ᵁᴹᴵ ᴹᵁˢᶠᴵᴿᴬᴴ ᴬᴮᴰᵁᴸ ᴳᴴᴬᴺᴵ

KUALA LUMPUR, MARCH 12, 2026 – Concern for the welfare of new converts was once again evident as the Deputy President of the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) and Head of PERKIM National Women, Your Excellency Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Hajah Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj personally visited several convert families across the Klang Valley today.

During the visit, Tunku Noor Hayati spent time engaging with the families, many of whom are grappling with various life challenges, while listening firsthand to their struggles and experiences.

On the same occasion, she also presented zakat assistance and offered moral support as a gesture of compassion to help ease their burdens.

Accompanying her were PERKIM National Administration Director, Dr. Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, Women’s Development Executive, Fatin Hamizah Ismail, and Da’wah Executive 3, Ustazah Siti Munirah Sayed Mohd Hamdan, who has long been actively assisting the families in various welfare and guidance efforts.

The visit forms part of PERKIM’s ongoing initiatives to ensure the well-being of converts is continuously safeguarded, particularly as many face significant life pressures after embracing Islam.

The first family visited was that of Siti Aisyah Abdullah, an Indian convert residing in Sentul with her two children.

Siti Aisyah has endured a profound trial following the passing of her husband, Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullah, at the end of January due to health complications.

The late Muhammad Ibrahim, who had been the family’s sole breadwinner, left behind his wife and their two young children.

The couple had married in May 2023 after Siti Aisyah embraced Islam, and since then had lived a modest life as a convert family.

The loss of her husband at such an early stage of marriage has had a significant impact on Siti Aisyah and her children.

In the emotional meeting, Tunku Noor Hayati took time to listen attentively to Siti Aisyah’s account of life after her husband’s passing.

She also interacted warmly with the children, offering words of encouragement and strength to help the family remain resilient in the face of hardship.

According to Siti Aisyah, life changed drastically following her husband’s death as she now bears sole responsibility for raising the family.

Despite the immense challenges, she expressed gratitude for the continued support from her family and PERKIM, which has remained attentive to their welfare.

Tunku Noor Hayati presented zakat assistance to help ease the family’s financial burden, with the aid expected to support their daily needs, particularly for the children.

It was also shared that Siti Aisyah’s mother frequently visits and helps care for her grandchildren, despite not having embraced Islam.

This was seen as a positive development reflecting strong familial ties despite differences in faith.

Tunku Noor Hayati also expressed hope and prayers that Siti Aisyah’s mother would one day be blessed with guidance.

Prior to this, the family had received extensive support through PERKIM’s Welfare Division under the efforts of Ustazah Siti Munirah.

Assistance provided included religious guidance, welfare support, and help with various aspects of daily living.

Such a holistic approach reflects PERKIM’s strategy to ensure converts do not feel isolated after embracing Islam.

Beyond material aid, emotional and spiritual support is also extended to help them adapt to their new lives as Muslims.

The visit then continued to the home of another convert, Nur Ain Vanetha R. Etharajoo, who resides in Ampang.

The Indian convert, who embraced Islam in 2010, is a single mother of three children.

Her life has been fraught with challenges after being abandoned by her husband, leaving her to raise her children alone.

Her situation worsened following a serious accident in 2021, which resulted in significant injuries to her limbs.

As a result, she underwent multiple medical treatments and continues to rely on supportive metal implants in the affected areas.

She remains under follow-up care with orthopaedic specialists at Kuala Lumpur Hospital to ensure proper recovery.

In January 2024, Nur Ain Vanetha was diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer, a devastating development for her and her family.

Her declining health has since prevented her from working as she previously did.

She is unable to remain active for long periods or undertake physically demanding tasks due to her condition.

At the same time, two of her three children suffer from severe asthma, requiring frequent hospital visits.

These circumstances have compounded the family’s financial and emotional challenges.

Recognising the difficulties faced by Nur Ain Vanetha and her family, PERKIM has extended various forms of assistance to safeguard their welfare.

Among the support provided were relocation costs when she was forced to move due to inability to pay rent, essential household items, food aid, medication, and transportation expenses for hospital visits.

This sustained support underscores PERKIM’s commitment to ensuring no convert is left to face hardship alone.

During the visit, Tunku Noor Hayati also spent considerable time speaking with Nur Ain Vanetha to better understand the challenges she and her children face.

The conversation took place in an atmosphere of empathy as she listened closely to Nur Ain Vanetha’s journey since embracing Islam and enduring multiple health trials.

As a gesture of care, zakat assistance was also presented to help ease the family’s financial burden.

Additionally, duit raya contributions were given to her children in preparation for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

Despite her health struggles, Nur Ain Vanetha continues to seek ways to supplement her family’s income.

In the lead-up to the festive season, she has taken the initiative to sell traditional festive cookies on a small scale.

The effort, undertaken within her limited capacity, is aimed at supporting her household expenses.

Her initiative has received encouragement and support from PERKIM, which continues to motivate her to persevere.

Tunku Noor Hayati commended her resilience, describing it as an inspiration for society to remain grateful and extend help to those in need.

The visitation programme is part of PERKIM’s continuous efforts to ensure the welfare of converts is well protected.

This initiative is vital as many converts face numerous challenges, including cultural adjustment, family pressures, and economic hardship.

The programme also serves as a platform to hear directly from the convert community, ensuring that assistance provided aligns with their actual needs.

Such an approach enables the organisation to design more effective support programmes in the future.

The presence of PERKIM leadership in visiting convert families is not merely symbolic, but a clear indication that their welfare remains a serious priority.

Tunku Noor Hayati emphasised that caring for converts is not solely the responsibility of any single organisation, but a collective duty of the wider community.

She expressed hope that more parties would come forward to assist this group in achieving a more stable and dignified life.

The visit concluded with a prayer led by PERKIM National Media Executive 1, Ustaz Mohd Syahril Rosdi Ahmad Zahudi seeking strength, patience, and ease for the families visited.

In the blessed month of Ramadan, such outreach efforts reflect a noble endeavour to strengthen the values of compassion, humanity, and brotherhood within the Muslim community.

Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Hajah Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (second from left) visited a flat in Bandar Baru Sentul to meet convert Siti Aisyah Abdullah, who is facing a difficult period following the passing of her husband, Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullah, at the end of January.

 

According to Siti Aisyah, life has changed drastically since her husband’s passing, as she now has to manage the family on her own.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati presented zakat assistance to Siti Aisyah at the end of the visit.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati and PERKIM staff posed for a group photograph with Siti Aisyah Abdullah’s family.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati also presented duit raya to Siti Aisyah’s child.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati continued her visit to the home of convert Nur Ain Vanetha R. Etharajoo, who resides in the Ampang area.

 

Nur Ain Vanetha shared her life story, describing the challenges she faced after being abandoned by her husband and having to raise her children alone, as well as her involvement in an accident in 2021 that resulted in serious injuries to her legs and arms.

 

As a gesture of concern, Tunku Noor Hayati presented zakat assistance to Nur Ain Vanetha’s family to help ease their financial burden.

 

The visit concluded with a prayer seeking strength, patience and ease in all affairs for the convert families visited.

 

Tunku Noor Hayati and PERKIM staff also posed for a group photograph with Nur Ain Vanetha’s family.