PERKIM Celebrates KPIPK 2024 Student Achievements, Elevates Knowledge as the Pillar of Excellence

by: MOHD. SYAHRIL ROSDI AHMAD ZAHUDI

KUALA LUMPUR, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 – The National PERKIM Islamic Studies Class (KPIPK) 2024 Student and Activity Excellence Awards Ceremony was held in a lively atmosphere this morning at the Seminar Hall, Level 1, PERKIM Building, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, attended by more than 150 students.

KPIPK students comprise new Muslim converts of diverse backgrounds including Chinese, Indian, Sikh, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, and Murut communities, as well as nationals from the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

The ceremony, organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National, opened with welcoming remarks by the chairman of the event, Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah.

According to Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, who also served as Programme Coordinator, the annual ceremony recognises the academic and spiritual achievements of KPIPK students across Islamic studies.

Awards were presented across six levels of learning – Pre-Basic, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Tahsin, and Al-Quran – based on the results of the 2024 KPIPK examinations.

Recognition was also extended to outstanding participants in the Quran Recitation (Tilawah), Quran Memorisation (Hafazan), Azan (Call to Prayer), and Islamic Knowledge Quiz competitions. In addition, outstanding teachers were honoured with the 2024 Excellent Teacher Awards.

The ceremony was officiated by PERKIM Honorary Secretary-General, YBhg. Dato’ Dr Haji Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, who expressed gratitude for the success of this meaningful event.

In his keynote, Dato’ Dr Marzuki noted that the presence of new Muslim converts in PERKIM’s programmes reflected the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Islamic education and da’wah efforts in Malaysia.

He highlighted the historical trajectory of Islam, which once led global civilisation but declined when Muslims abandoned knowledge. In contrast, the West, which benefited from Islamic scholarship, rose to dominance.

“Only through mastering knowledge can Muslims restore the past glory of civilisation,” he emphasised.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki also shared insights from his missionary experience as Honorary Secretary-General of the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP), which covers regional nations and Pacific islands.

He stressed that Malaysia, recognised as a leading Islamic nation compared to many others, bears a moral responsibility to support less developed Muslim communities in areas of education, infrastructure, and basic welfare.

He reminded attendees that Islam is a religion of peace and beauty, symbolised through the greeting of salam which conveys a universal message of well-being.

Underscoring the future role of students, he added: “The learners we nurture today are the leaders of tomorrow, in government, religious institutions, and society. Knowledge is the key to producing a capable and principled generation.

“With the support of teachers and educators, I am confident that the young Muslims of Malaysia can become leaders of calibre who will elevate the dignity of religion, race, and nation,” he concluded.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki, accompanied by PERKIM National CEO, YBhg. Dr Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, and Senior Dakwah Executive, YBhg. Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin, later presented awards to recipients. Each awardee received a certificate, trophy, and token of appreciation.

Among the award recipients were Muhammad Aiman Stephen (Pre-Basic), Amira Abdullah (Basic), Muhammad Yusof Kalidas (Intermediate), Erna Uluk Abdullah (Advanced), Wani Soleha Abdullah (Tahsin), and Nur Aliyah Pingo (Al-Quran) in the student excellence category.

For outstanding activities, Muhammad Eman Daniel emerged champion in the Azan competition, Muhammad Yusof Kalidas topped the Islamic Knowledge Quiz, Nur Aliyah Pingo took first place in Quran Memorisation, while Muhammad Johnson Gantinus and Fauziah Ibrahim were named champions in Quran Recitation for the convert and born-Muslim categories, respectively.

Six teachers were also honoured with the Excellent Teacher Awards: Ustazah Umi Musfirah Abdul Ghani (Pre-Basic), Ustazah Umie Zaiton Junoh (Basic), Ustaz Mohd Jogi Panjaitan Maruli (Intermediate), Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah (Advanced), Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah (Tahsin), and Ustazah Zaimiah Abdul Karim (General).

The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of a welfare contribution by Dato’ Dr Marzuki to Hashimah Hashim, Assistant Administrative Executive of PERKIM National, following the passing of her husband, the late Abdul Halim Mohd Selat, on September 14.

The event concluded with the presentation of a formal Appointment Letter to PERKIM CEO, Dr Suariza, by Dato’ Dr Marzuki, followed by a group photography session and a fellowship luncheon with all guests and students.

Ustaz Farhan Tee hosted the KPIPK 2024 Student and Activity Excellence Awards Ceremony at the PERKIM Building.

PERKIM leaders stood in respect as the national anthem Negaraku and the organisational anthem PERKIM Pacu Kemajuan were sung.

Ustaz Jais Mariappan led the opening prayer for the ceremony.

Students and award recipients raised their hands in supplication as the prayer was recited.

The PERKIM leadership joined in solemnly affirming the prayer.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki delivered his keynote address at the awards ceremony.

New Muslim converts listened attentively to the message delivered.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki said that KPIPK students and award recipients reflected the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Islamic education and da’wah in the country.

Some of the award recipients were present at the ceremony.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki underscored that Islam is a religion of peace and beauty, exemplified through the greeting of salam which conveys a universal message of well-being.

Focused and attentive, the KPIPK award recipients listened to the keynote address.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki emphasised that by mastering knowledge, Muslims can restore the past glory of civilisation.

Muhammad Aiman Stephen received the KPIPK 2024 Pre-Basic Student Excellence Award certificate, trophy, and token of appreciation from Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki presented the certificate, trophy, and token of appreciation to Amira Abdullah as the recipient of the KPIPK 2024 Basic Student Excellence Award.

Muhammad Yusof Kalidas received the Intermediate Student Excellence Award, taking home a certificate, trophy, and token of appreciation.

The PERKIM Honorary Secretary-General presented the Advanced Student Excellence Award to Erna Uluk Abdullah.

Wani Soleha Abdullah received the KPIPK 2024 Tahsin Student Excellence Award from Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki presented the certificate, trophy, and token of appreciation to Nur Aliyah Pingo as the recipient of the KPIPK 2024 Al-Quran Student Excellence Award.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki handed a trophy, certificate, and token of appreciation to Muhammad Eman Daniel, who emerged champion in the Azan competition.

Muhammad Yusof Kalidas received a trophy, certificate, and token of appreciation from Dato’ Dr Marzuki as winner of the Islamic Knowledge Quiz.

Muhammad Johnson Gantinus received a trophy, certificate, and token of appreciation as champion of the Quran Recitation competition in the new Muslim category from Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki presented a trophy, certificate, and token of appreciation to Fauziah Ibrahim, champion of the Quran Recitation competition in the born-Muslim category.

Ustazah Umi Musfirah received the KPIPK 2024 Pre-Basic Excellent Teacher Award from Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki menyampaikan Anugerah Guru Cemerlang tahap asas kepada Ustazah Umie Zaiton.

Ustaz Jogi received the KPIPK 2024 Intermediate Excellent Teacher Award from Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Ustaz Jais Mariappan was honoured with the Advanced Excellent Teacher Award, presented by Dato’ Dr Marzuki.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki presented the Tahsin Excellent Teacher Award to Ustaz Farhan Tee, who received a trophy, certificate, and token of appreciation.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki handed a trophy, certificate, and cash token of appreciation to Ustazah Zaimiah, recipient of the General Excellent Teacher Award.

Following the passing of her beloved husband on September 14, Dato’ Dr Marzuki conveyed condolences and presented a welfare contribution to Hashimah.

Dato’ Dr Marzuki presented the PERKIM Executive Appointment Letter to Dr Suariza.

Quran Recitation champion (new Muslim category), Johnson Gantinus, recited verses of the Holy Quran before the audience.

Fauziah Ibrahim, champion of the Quran Recitation in the born-Muslim category, delivered a melodious recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.

Azan champion, Eman Daniel, presented the call to prayer before the attendees.

The PERKIM leadership, award recipients, and KPIPK students posed for a group photograph to commemorate the conclusion of the ceremony.