PERKIM Da’wah Outreach Reaches Remote Ban Cha Pa Community in Chiang Rai Highlands
ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ
CHIANG RAI, MAY 30, 2026 – A challenging 120-kilometre journey across winding mountain roads and rugged terrain did little to dampen the determination of volunteers from the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM), the Jom Buat Baik Group and the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah as they continued their humanitarian and da’wah mission to one of northern Thailand’s most remote villages.
The Jaulah Da’wah and Qurban 2026 expedition brought the delegation to Ban Cha Pa, a highland settlement located near the Thailand-Myanmar border in Chiang Rai province.
The team departed from the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah in Ban Mae Pao in three four-wheel-drive vehicles, accompanied by 20 students of the madrasah who originated from the village.
Operating in Ban Mae Pao, the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah serves as both a shelter and educational centre for orphans, converts to Islam and underprivileged Muslim children in the region.
The nearly three-hour journey took the delegation through several towns and villages, including Mae Kao Tom, Mae Sai, Mae Chan, Chiang Saen and Ban Hua Mae Kam, before entering winding red-earth roads that cut through the mountainous landscape.
Along the way, they passed rubber plantations, mango orchards and lush paddy fields before navigating narrow and deeply rutted mountain roads leading to the remote destination.
Before continuing into the highlands, the delegation stopped at Masjid Hidayatul Fatah in Mae Da Luang to perform the combined and shortened Zuhur and Asar prayers in congregation.
PERKIM National Da’wah Executive, Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah said the mission aimed to visit as many village families as possible while distributing qurban contributions and food aid to local residents.
“Insya-Allah, we will visit families in Ban Cha Pa together with representatives from PERKIM, the Jom Buat Baik Group and the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah.
“We have brought gift beef, 160 food aid packs and goodies bags for children. We hope these contributions will benefit the villagers,” he said.
Also participating in the programme were PERKIM National Finance Executive Mohd Aizat Rosli, As-Siddiqin Foundation Co-Founder Haji Abdullah Othman, and Jom Buat Baik Group Founder Ustaz Azatul Ridzuan Hassan.
The delegation arrived at about 3pm and received a warm welcome from residents of Ban Cha Pa, the majority of whom belong to the Muser, or Lahu, ethnic community, one of the hill tribes residing in northern Thailand’s mountainous regions.
According to Farhan, many villagers are more comfortable speaking the Muser dialect than Thai, making communication dependent on local interpreters.
“Alhamdulillah, we brought goodies bags for the children and distributed gift beef and food aid packs to families in the village.
“The majority of residents here are non-Muslims. Therefore, we are sharing gift beef contributed by donors as part of our da’wah approach through compassion, welfare and goodwill,” he said.
Each family received food assistance containing essential items such as canned sardines, cooking oil and instant noodles.
Farhan said welfare-based outreach programmes provide an effective avenue for introducing the beauty and values of Islam to communities that have had little exposure to the faith.
Meanwhile, As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah Principal, Ustaz Ausman Che Din, who led the delegation, said the visit offered an opportunity for the institution to reconnect with the families of students currently studying at the madrasah.
He noted that many of the students were orphans, children from impoverished households or those facing significant social and economic challenges.
“We came to visit the families of our students and witness firsthand the living conditions in their home village.
“When villagers observe the positive transformation in their children after receiving Islamic education at the madrasah, they become more open to understanding Islam,” he said.
He added that villagers, who comprise followers of Buddhism, Christianity and traditional beliefs, have consistently extended their cooperation to the madrasah.
According to him, years of trust and goodwill have enabled da’wah activities to be carried out harmoniously and with wisdom.
“Although only a handful of students from this village are enrolled at the madrasah, they serve as a bridge connecting us with the local community.
“Through them, villagers can see improvements in character, personal hygiene and discipline fostered through Islamic education,” he said.
One of the most encouraging outcomes of the visit was a young man from Ban Cha Pa expressing his willingness to embrace Islam and pursue his education at the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah.
The most emotional moment of the programme came when Ustaz Farhan guided an 18-year-old Muser youth, Chak Ehh, in reciting the Syahadah, the Islamic declaration of faith.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, the teenager is the elder brother of Saifullah, 15, a current student at the madrasah.
The conversion ceremony took place in a deeply moving atmosphere. Ustaz Ausman translated the words and meaning of the Syahadah into Thai, while Saifullah helped explain the declaration of faith in the Muser language to his brother.
The presence of his younger brother, who had already received Islamic education at the madrasah, was among the factors that inspired Chak Ehh to learn about and eventually embrace Islam.
The historic moment was witnessed by members of the delegation and villagers, serving as a testament to the effectiveness of da’wah through education, welfare initiatives and community engagement in touching the hearts of rural communities.
The development was described as one of the most significant outcomes of the madrasah’s long-term outreach efforts.
Farhan said existing students from the village who returned home to visit their families also played a crucial role in fostering trust among parents and guardians.
“They see for themselves the positive changes that take place in their children after studying at the madrasah.
“This gives families greater confidence to allow their children to pursue Islamic education and reside with us at the institution,” he said.
The programme also featured emotional reunions as students of the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah were given the opportunity to meet family members after long periods apart.
Some were reunited with siblings, uncles, aunts and close relatives living in the remote highland village.
Most students enrolled at the madrasah are orphans or come from underprivileged families.
The reunions not only eased their longing but also strengthened ties between the madrasah and the local community.
Throughout the programme, Ustaz Farhan and Mohd Aizat distributed 100 packages of gift beef and food aid packs to residents of Ban Cha Pa.
Children received goodies bags filled with snacks, crackers and sweets.
The delegation later travelled approximately 700 metres to Lower Ban Cha Pa to continue its outreach activities.
There, a further 60 packages of gift beef and food aid were distributed to residents, while children once again received goodies bags.
Villagers expressed gratitude and appreciation for the concern shown by Malaysians who were willing to undertake the arduous journey simply to deliver assistance and share the joy of Aidiladha with them.
Following the programme, the delegation returned to the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah and made a stop at Masjid Fatimah Pakuk in Mueang Ban Du, Chiang Rai, to perform the combined Maghrib and Isyak prayers in congregation.
The Jaulah Da’wah and Qurban 2026 programme, organised by PERKIM National in collaboration with the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah and the Jom Buat Baik Group, demonstrated that da’wah through welfare, education and humanitarian outreach can open hearts, strengthen community ties and further enhance the presence of Islam in the remote regions of northern Thailand.
Students of the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah cut freshly slaughtered gift beef for distribution to residents of Ban Cha Pa.
Programme volunteers and students of the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah prepare food aid packs for distribution to villagers.
Students of the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah fill goodies bags with snacks, biscuits and sweets to be distributed to village children.
Ustaz Farhan Tee and Aizat Rosli load 160 food aid packs and 160 goodies bags onto a vehicle before departing for Ban Cha Pa.
Travelling in the rear of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah ensures that the supplies remain secure throughout the journey.
The three vehicles navigate urban roads, mountainous routes, red-earth tracks, narrow pathways and winding terrain en route to the remote village.
The outreach delegation makes a brief stop to perform congregational prayers with students of the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah at Masjid Hidayatul Fatah in Mae Da Luang.
Jom Buat Baik Group Founder Ustaz Azatul Ridzuan Hassan leads the congregational Zuhur and Asar jamak qasar prayers.
Aizat Rosli presents food aid packs and qurban beef to the mother of an As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah student of Chinese descent.
Students of the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah reunite with family members and relatives upon arriving in Ban Cha Pa.
Residents of Ban Cha Pa warmly welcome the delegation with smiles and enthusiasm upon their arrival.
Ustaz Ausman Che Din shares the history and background of the Muser (Lahu) ethnic community residing in Ban Cha Pa.
A young resident of Ban Cha Pa expresses his interest in studying at the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah, following in the footsteps of his younger brother.
Ustaz Farhan Tee distributes goodies bags to children in the village.
Aizat Rosli and Farhan Tee distribute gift beef and food aid packs in conjunction with Aidiladha.
Chak Ehh, a young villager who expressed his intention to embrace Islam, raises his index finger while reciting the Syahadah under the guidance of Ustaz Farhan Tee.
Aizat Rosli distributes goodies bags to children in Lower Ban Cha Pa.
Ustaz Farhan Tee presents food aid packs and gift beef to residents of Lower Ban Cha Pa.
Villagers express their gratitude and appreciation to PERKIM, RISEAP, the Jom Buat Baik Group and the As-Siddiqin Foundation Madrasah for their visit and for providing food aid packs and gift beef to the community.
