PERKIM Organised a Programme to Empower Women Reverts and the Asnaf

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 JUNE 2024 – A programme to empower women reverts and the poor was organised by Unit of Da’wah and Human Development (UDPI) of PERKIM Headquarters.

Siti Munirah Sayed Mohd Hamdan, as co-ordinator, asserted that women reverts and the needy require a holistic approach which encompasses aspects of education, skills training, financial support and community support network to empower themselves.

The course participants of this programme comprised of Malaysian Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban community members as well as Thai, Indonesian, Cambodian and Philippines nationals.

These ladies can empower themselves economically and are able to build a stable life, contribute to the development of the community and nation through education, skills training, entrepreneurship guidance, community support and network, capacity building, technology and digitalization.

The programme was officially opened by Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin, PERKIM’s Senior Director of Dakwah.

In his speech, he drew attention to the most successful business woman in Islamic history – Saidatina Khadijah Khuwalid, the beloved wife of Prophet Mohammad, SAW (pbuh).

However, we are not too late in emulating Saidatina Khadijah Khuwalid.

Locally, the Pasar Siti Khadijah in Kota Bharu, Kelantan is mostly inundated by women.  It is timely that women lend a hand in supporting the family by chipping in the daily expenses.

This programme was sponsored by Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP).

.PERKIM will endeavour to seek other sponsors viz. IKB-MAIWP so that more skills can be incorporated in this programme – such as food, fashion, design etc.

Institute Kemahiran Baitulmal (IKB) is well-equipped to run such courses and have sufficient funds to develop the economy of reverts and the poor.

He hoped that there will be other opportunities following this initial programme to instil the spirit of success for the future.

Earlier, the Director of Accreditation for Experience-Based Teaching (APEL), Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University-College, Dr. Nurliza Haslin Muslim, delivered talks on “Empowering Women” and “Gender Awareness & Social Support” to the group.  She added that participants need to improve access to quality education.

Additionally, they should go for skills training such as on-line business, for example food services or fashion-wear.

She explained that we need to support women in opening and developing their own businesses thru business guidance, financial support and strengthening business network.

She added that physical and mental health are very important in upgrading productivity, creativity and the quality of life.

Women also need to enhance their awareness and protect women’s rights including the right to educate, equality in jobs and protection from brutality or harm.

The second talk dwelt on gender awareness which involves understanding the importance of equal rights for both sexes, including the right to work and make individual decisions without discrimination.

Social support, meanwhile, deals with providing support to women facing economic problems, domestic violence in the home or mental health problems.

With high gender awareness and stable social support women reverts will be able to rise above their challenges, empower themselves and deliver their best to the community.

Participants were given discussion time in their groups and were able to present their business hopes and dreams.

In the final slot, participants were taught smocking.

The programme closed with the presentation of Certificates of Participation to all attendees.

Siti Munirah (left) checks the names of participants in the registration session.

Safiyya started the speech as the emcee of the ceremony.

Siti Munirah took the lead with a prayer.

Participants wished for the smooth running of the event.

Participants stand while singing the Asmaul Husna song.

Dr Nurliza spoke on”Empowering Women”.

“Skills Training is important”, said Dr. Nurliza.

Dr Nurliza stressed on the importance of Gender Awareness”.

Discussion Time.

The group participants presented their proposals for developing traditional Filipino food businesses.

Dress fashion and tailoring among the choices of participants in this group.

Group participants suggested working on a multi-ethnic food service.

Dr Nurliza showed attendee  how to do smocking.

Participants try to sew the smock sewing technique that has been learned.

Female participants demonstrate the finished smock sewing technique.

Dato’ Razali officially opened the event.

According to Dato’ Razali, the majority of traders at Pasar Siti Khadijah are women.

The lucky one to receive a prize for lucky draw.

Dato’ Razali presented a momento to Dr Nurliza.

Dato’ Razali handed the Certificate of Participation to a revert.

Female participants from Sarawak received participation certificates from Dato’ Razali.

Siti Munirah presented Dato’ Razali with a momento.

30 participants of the Empowering Women Converts and Asnaf Program pose for souvenir photos while showing their participation certificates at the end of the program.