Community Games and Mahabbah Outreach Strengthen PERKIM’s Ties with Kampung Sungai Puntar’s Indian Community
ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ
BEDONG, JUNE 26, 2026 – The spirit of unity and harmony among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic communities was further reinforced through the Community Games and Mahabbah Outreach Programme with the Indian Multi-Ethnic Community of Kampung Sungai Puntar, held at the Kampung Sungai Puntar Multipurpose Hall here on Friday morning.
The programme was jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), with the cooperation of PERKIM Kedah State Division, PERKIM Kuala Muda District Branch and the Kedah chapter of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Converts Welfare and Da’wah Association (Al-Hidayah).
Programme coordinator Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah said the initiative was aimed at strengthening unity among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds through the approach of dakwah bil hal (preaching through action), which emphasises compassion, welfare and community engagement.
He said the activities were designed not only to provide villagers with opportunities for recreation and family bonding, but also to create a platform for closer interaction between PERKIM and the local community.
“This programme seeks to foster the spirit of mahabbah (love and goodwill) within our multicultural society, strengthen community cohesion, reach out to residents regardless of their religious background, and convey the Islamic message of mercy, compassion and benevolence to all.
“Through relaxed and engaging activities such as community games and house-to-house visits, we are able to connect with the community more effectively while strengthening the relationships that have long been established,” he said.
As early as 10am, the atmosphere at the hall came alive as hundreds of residents participated in a variety of traditional and family-oriented games organised for the community.
Among the most popular events were the hands-free apple-eating challenge, jasmine garland tying competition, musical chairs, coconut bowling, candy hunting in flour, kolam decoration and the traditional pukul belanga game.
According to Muhammad Jais, the enthusiastic participation of children, parents and senior citizens demonstrated that community-based programmes serve as an effective platform for strengthening family values and neighbourhood ties.
“Alhamdulillah, the response has been extremely encouraging. We witnessed children, parents and villagers actively participating in every activity organised. The lively atmosphere reflected the strong spirit of togetherness that continues to thrive within the community,” he said.
One of the highlights of the programme was the kolam decoration competition, a traditional Indian art form commonly displayed at the entrance of homes. Participants worked together to create colourful and intricate kolam designs in front of the hall, with parents and children collaborating in a spirit of teamwork and creativity.
Following the conclusion of the community games at 12.30pm, the programme continued with a Mahabbah Outreach Visit to 50 households in Kampung Sungai Puntar beginning at 3.30pm.
During the visits, volunteers engaged with residents and presented food hampers entrusted by MAIWP. The hampers contained essential food items including rice, wheat flour, canned sardines, rice vermicelli, tea, biscuits and other daily necessities.
Muhammad Jais said the outreach programme reflected the concern and commitment of PERKIM and MAIWP towards the welfare of local communities regardless of race or religion.
“Alhamdulillah, we successfully visited 50 households. The programme was greatly assisted by Kampung Sungai Puntar Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Mohan Raja Perumal, who joined us in visiting residents from house to house.
“The response from the community has been truly heartening. Despite differences in religion and ethnicity, the residents live together in peace and harmony, always willing to support and assist one another,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohan expressed his appreciation to PERKIM and MAIWP for their concern and commitment towards the welfare of the village community.
“We are deeply grateful to PERKIM and all parties involved for selecting our village for this welfare and community programme. The games organised in the morning and the distribution of food hampers to 50 families in the afternoon were truly meaningful and greatly appreciated by our residents,” he said.
Among those who participated in the programme were PERKIM National Deputy Finance Executive Azura Abdul Rahman; Assistant Da’wah Executive I Ustaz Haji Amran Anbarasu Abdullah; Assistant Da’wah Executive II Ustazah Siti Fatimah Ladda Abdullah; Administrative Assistant Fatin Akmal Aksah; and Muhamad Fardly Johan.
Also present were PERKIM Kedah State Division Deputy Executive Hazirah Azmi; PERKIM Kedah State Division Administrative Assistant Akmal Azram Abu Zarim; PERKIM Kuala Muda District Branch chairman Ustaz Imron Kochem Haji Ahmad; Assistant Secretary Ustazah Juhana Halimah Johari; committee members; and industrial trainees attached to the branch.
Also participating were Al-Hidayah Kedah secretary Ustaz Mohd Firdaus Abdullah, Al-Hidayah Kedah treasurer Ustazah Nurasiqin Abdullah, and three representatives from Hidayah Centre Foundation Kedah.
The day-long programme demonstrated that da’wah initiatives rooted in welfare, volunteerism and social engagement can serve as an effective bridge for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening harmony within Malaysia’s diverse and multicultural society.
Children eagerly attempted to eat hanging apples during the “Hands-Free Apple Eating Challenge”, one of the community games organised during the programme.
Young participants made determined efforts to bite into the hanging apples without using their hands.
Women took part in the “Jasmine Garland Tying Competition”, a popular event among participants.
Jais Mariappan displays the longest jasmine garland produced during the competition.
Teenage boys compete enthusiastically in the “Musical Chairs” event.
As the music stopped, female participants quickly raced to secure a seat during the “Musical Chairs” competition.
Coconut Bowling was among the traditional games featured during the community sports programme.
One of the villagers celebrates a successful attempt after knocking down the highest number of bottles in the Coconut Bowling event.
One of the games that captured the attention of children was the “Candy Hunt in Flour” challenge.
The “Poison Balloon” game was also a favourite among the village children.
The Kolam Decoration Competition showcased a traditional cultural art form that is widely practised within the Indian community.
Participants of the Kolam Decoration Competition pose for a group photograph with organisers following the conclusion of the contest.
The “Pukul Belanga” competition was another traditional activity closely associated with Indian cultural celebrations.
Female participants were equally enthusiastic as they took part in the blindfolded “Pukul Belanga” challenge.
Delegations from PERKIM National, PERKIM Kedah and PERKIM Kuala Muda visited 50 households in Kampung Sungai Puntar as part of the Mahabbah outreach programme.
Jais Mariappan and members of the delegation visited resident Uthiya Kumar Ramachandran while presenting a food hamper contribution.
Villagers received food hampers distributed by the PERKIM delegation, Jais Mariappan and Amran Anbarasu.
Imron Kochem and Juhana Halimah, together with programme organisers, presented rice and food hampers to Kampung Sungai Puntar residents.
Jais Mariappan distributed food hampers entrusted by MAIWP, containing rice, wheat flour, canned sardines, rice vermicelli, tea, biscuits and other essential household items during visits to village residents.
Mohan Raja joined PERKIM volunteers in distributing food hampers to local residents.
Anbalagan Wirasamy expressed his appreciation and happiness upon receiving a food hamper sponsored by MAIWP from programme organisers.
Villagers conveyed their gratitude for the visits and for the assistance in the form of essential food items provided to their families.
Jais Mariappan and Firdaus Abdullah together with programme organisers, presented food assistance to village residents.
Representatives from PERKIM, Al-Hidayah and Hidayah Centre Foundation jointly distributed food contributions and posed for a commemorative photograph at the 50th and final house visited, the residence of Mohan Raja.
