PERKIM National Visit Strengthens Brotherhood with Kuala Muda Branch

by: MOHD SYAHRIL ROSDI AHMAD ZAHUDI

SUNGAI PETANI, 5 September 2025 – A cordial visit was made by a delegation from the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National to the Kuala Muda District Branch of PERKIM located at Jalan Pegawai, Kampung Teroi, Sungai Petani after Friday prayers today.

The visit was led by PERKIM National Officer of Dakwah and Human Development, Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, accompanied by five staff members.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Ustaz Imron Kochem Haji Ahmad, Chairman of PERKIM Kuala Muda District Branch, together with Assistant Honorary Secretary, Ustazah Juhana Halimah Johari.

In his address, Ustaz Jais Mariappan expressed his highest appreciation to PERKIM Kuala Muda for their gracious invitation.

He emphasised that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties of silaturahim and Islamic brotherhood while also providing space to better understand the dakwah efforts being carried out at the branch level.

“Close relations between PERKIM National and its branches are vital to ensure that dakwah, welfare and educational initiatives can be carried out more effectively.

“We are here not in the spirit of an official visit, but as brothers and sisters in faith who wish to share experiences and the strength of Islam together,” he explained.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, Ustaz Imron Kochem expressed his joy over the attention given by PERKIM National.

According to him, the presence of the delegation signified meaningful support for the volunteers and dakwah activists working at the district level.

The visit also included discussions on the indirect involvement of PERKIM Kuala Muda in welfare programmes scheduled for tomorrow.

Among the programmes discussed was the Community Welfare Visit to be held on 6 September 2025 at Pusat Penjagaan Fajar Gemilang, Bandar Aman Jaya.

This programme aims to reach out to underprivileged members of the Indian community, while delivering the universal message of love and compassion through the merciful approach of Islam.

In addition, on 7 September 2025, a Harmony Dialogue and Visit to the Indian Multi-Ethnic Community will be held at Ladang Kongsi 6, Bedong.

The programme is expected to serve as a platform to build understanding, bridge differences, and strengthen harmony among the multi-racial and multi-religious communities in the district.

Following the discussions, the delegation was taken on a tour of the facilities owned by PERKIM Kuala Muda. Among the facilities visited were the Kuala Muda PERKIM office, men’s and women’s transit homes, and a multipurpose hall often used for dakwah programmes, lectures, and welfare activities.

The delegation also visited the guesthouse provided for outstation visitors, as well as the Kopi Tamu stall, which functions as a casual interaction space with the local community.

The existence of these facilities demonstrates that PERKIM Kuala Muda not only focuses on dakwah work but also expands its social role in building inclusive relations with the wider community.

In further sharing, Ustaz Imron Kochem highlighted the realities of dakwah fieldwork, which are often full of challenges.

He also shared his experiences in handling cases of new Muslim converts in critical conditions, and conflicts with non-Muslim families in managing funeral matters.

According to him, these experiences prove that dakwah work requires not only knowledge and courage but also wisdom, patience, and strong collaboration with authorities and other NGOs.

“We cannot move forward on our own. But with the support of PERKIM Kedah State Branch and PERKIM National, we are more confident that these challenges can be faced together.

“What matters most is that new Muslims receive the protection they deserve, their dignity is preserved, and the wider multi-ethnic society sees the true face of Islam – a religion of love and justice,” he added.

With this visit, it is hoped that efforts to engage with the multi-ethnic community, safeguard the welfare of new Muslims, and strengthen Islamic dakwah in Kuala Muda District will become more structured, integrated, and effective in the future.

At the conclusion of the visit, the PERKIM National delegation proceeded to Jalan Permatang Gedong to hold a meeting with Chairman of the Islamic Dakwah and Welfare Association of Indian New Muslims in Malaysia (Al-Hidayah), Ustaz Mohd Naim Islam Abdullah, to discuss preparations for the two upcoming programmes – the Indian Multi-Ethnic Community Welfare Programme and the Harmony Dialogue and Visit to the Indian Multi-Ethnic Community.

The meeting, held at a local restaurant, discussed the final preparations to ensure the smooth running of both programmes, which are jointly organised by PERKIM National and MAIWP in collaboration with Al-Hidayah.

PERKIM National staff members also served as the secretariat of the programme, namely Azura Abdul Rahman, Norlailialpin Suratman, Mualish Shah Haji Mohd Anuar, and volunteer Mohd Firdaus Pompeyo Abdullah.

The PERKIM National delegation arrived at the Kuala Muda District PERKIM Complex near Jalan Pegawai, Kampung Teroi.

Ustaz Imron Kochem welcomed and hosted the arrival of the PERKIM National delegation at his office.

Ustaz Imron Kochem shared his experiences and challenges in managing new Muslim converts at PERKIM Kuala Muda.

The delegation enjoyed a special lunch that was served.

Among the facilities of PERKIM Kuala Muda are the PERKIM Family Transit Home, and Men’s and Women’s Transit Homes.

The delegation was brought to the Kuala Muda PERKIM Office.

The line-up of committee members is displayed on the Kuala Muda PERKIM organisational chart.

A glimpse inside the Kuala Muda PERKIM office.

Ustaz Imron Kochem presented a framed calligraphy artwork as a souvenir to Ustaz Jais Mariappan.

The PERKIM delegation held a meeting on the Harmony Dialogue and Indian Multi-Ethnic Community Visit Programme with AL-HIDAYAH Kedah, led by Ustaz Naim Islam (left).