PERKIM Women Outlines New Strategic Direction, Strengthens Role in Da’wah and Welfare

by: MOHD. SYAHRIL ROSDI AHMAD ZAHUDI

KUALA LUMPUR, OCTOBER 8, 2025 – More than 50 participants comprising members of the Women’s Council of the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National, the Supreme Committee of PERKIM Women Divisions across the country, and representatives from the United Sabah Islamic Association (USIA) Women’s Wing convened at the Seminar Hall, Level 1, PERKIM National Headquarters, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, here on Wednesday morning for the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction Workshop 2025.

The one-day workshop was specifically organised to formulate new strategies, strengthen administrative structures, and realign PERKIM Women’s da’wah (Islamic outreach) and welfare agenda in response to current challenges.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks by PERKIM National Da’wah Executive, Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah, followed by a prayer recitation led by PERKIM National Finance Executive, Mohd Aizat Rosli.

Participants then engaged in a ta’aruf (introduction) and ice-breaking session, also led by Ustaz Farhan Tee, to foster closer camaraderie and strengthen teamwork before the start of the workshop proceedings.

In her keynote address, Chief of PERKIM Women National, YTM Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Hajah Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, stressed that the workshop was crucial to reassessing the direction and objectives of PERKIM Women after several years of stalled progress in planning.

She underscored the importance of amplifying women’s voices, noting that women form the backbone of programme implementation on the ground but often face financial and policy constraints.

Tunku Noor Hayati urged the movement to establish clear, practical, and sustainable policies that reflect the differing challenges faced by women across various states.

“The strength of an organisation is not only measured by its membership of over 22,000 but by the commitment, synergy, and cooperation shown at every level,” she said, adding that youth involvement and engagement with educational institutions were vital for leadership continuity.

The session continued with an administrative briefing by PERKIM Women National Honorary Secretary, YBhg. Dato’ Hajah Maznah Dasmi, who emphasised the importance of understanding the Societies Act 1966, the PERKIM Constitution, and the principle of ultra vires to ensure all decisions comply with legal frameworks.

She also highlighted the need for systematic meeting management and the establishment of PERKIM Women offices in every state and division to enhance efficiency and coordination.

During the financial briefing, PERKIM Women National Honorary Treasurer, Associate Professor Dr. Nur’azah Dato’ Abdul Manaf, outlined the treasurer’s responsibilities, which include preparing transparent monthly and annual financial reports, maintaining accurate accounts, and keeping proper financial documentation.

She also emphasised the role of internal auditors in mitigating risks of mismanagement, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, and improving financial governance at all levels.

The workshop also featured an economics and entrepreneurship briefing by Sudee Holdings Chief Marketing Officer, Ann Zahid, who introduced the Sudee Brand Affiliate Programme. The initiative allows participants to earn passive income via Shopee and TikTok Shop by promoting Sudee’s halal food products.

She explained that the programme enables PERKIM Women to strengthen financial sustainability through digital marketing without the need for product storage or logistics management.

In his address, PERKIM Vice President, YBhg. Dr. Haji Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, stressed the importance of strengthening PERKIM’s ties with mosques as centres for da’wah and welfare activities.

He cited the example of PERKIM Bagan Datoh, which collaborates with local mosques to allocate a portion of Friday collections towards da’wah initiatives.

Dr Ridhuan Tee also addressed misconceptions that PERKIM is a wealthy NGO, clarifying that financial resources must be managed prudently and channelled towards high-impact programmes.

He encouraged broader outreach to non-Muslims, greater utilisation of social media, and the enhancement of PERKIM’s public identity suggesting initiatives such as wearing distinctive vests during outreach and relief missions.

“Da’wah to non-Muslims is PERKIM’s true mission and must be given top priority,” he asserted, urging stronger collaboration with religious agencies and youth groups to fortify the da’wah movement.

Participants were later divided into groups to develop proposals for PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025, focusing on planning, collaboration, and financial strategies.

After the Zohor prayer and lunch, each group presented their proposals, which will form the foundation of PERKIM Women’s future action plan.

In her closing address, Tunku Noor Hayati reaffirmed PERKIM Women’s continued commitment to addressing social issues such as those affecting new Muslim converts, troubled families, drug abuse, bullying, health, and mental well-being.

She emphasised the importance of training of trainers programmes to produce more qualified counsellors, along with close cooperation with government agencies such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (PEMADAM) to curb social ills.

She also noted the special attention required in Sabah due to its unique geographical and socio-religious challenges, underscoring the need for tailored outreach strategies.

Tunku Noor Hayati reminded participants that PERKIM Women’s struggle must move in tandem across three key fronts da’wah, welfare, and education, while ensuring youth participation and leadership continuity.

She called on members to strengthen cooperation at division and branch levels and to continue implementing programmes that benefit religion, society, and the nation.

The event concluded with a group photo session and afternoon tea.

Among those present were PERKIM Women National Council Members, including Permanent Chairman Hajah Hasnah Mohamed, Deputy Permanent Chairman YBhg. Datin Hajah Mazlin Darus, and council members YBhg. Datin Hajah Mawanchik Che Jais, YBhg. Dato’ Nurzarina Sepran, YBhg. Datin Hajah Normala Mohamed Zin, YBhg. Datin Paduka Hajah Norsiah Haji Haron, Azlifa Md. Idris, and Hajah Norizan Ismail.

The workshop was also supported by secretariat officers Fatin Hamizah Ismail, Nur Syahirah Musa, and Masliana Ariffin.

Ustaz Farhan Tee, as the master of ceremonies, officially opened the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction Workshop.

Aizat Rosli led the opening prayer of the event.

PERKIM Women participants raised their hands in prayer as the doa was recited.

Ustaz Farhan Tee conducted the ta’aruf and ice-breaking session at the beginning of the workshop.

Participants from the Kedah and Melaka PERKIM Women Divisions took part in the workshop.

Tunku Noor Hayati, as the Chief of PERKIM Women National, delivered her keynote address.

In her speech, Tunku Noor Hayati emphasised the need for women’s voices to be heard more strongly, as they form the backbone of programme implementation.

Participants listened attentively to the keynote address delivered during the session.

Tunku Noor Hayati also highlighted the importance of youth involvement and collaboration with educational institutions to ensure future leadership continuity.

Dato’ Maznah delivered an administrative briefing to the participants.

Associate Professor Dr. Nur’azah also presented a financial briefing to the attendees.

Participants took notes and recorded key points from the briefings presented.

A question-and-answer session was held with the National PERKIM Women Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.

Participants shared their views and ideas during the workshop discussions.

Ann Zahid from Sudee Holdings delivered an entrepreneurship briefing to the participants.

Representatives from Sudee Holdings distributed the company’s products to participants.

Dr. Ridhuan Tee, Vice President of PERKIM, delivered his address and shared his advice with the participants.

Dr. Ridhuan Tee urged that da’wah programmes be expanded to include non-Muslims and that social media be utilised to its fullest potential.

Tunku Noor Hayati mingled warmly with participants during the group training session.

Tunku Noor Hayati also took the opportunity to pose for photographs with PERKIM Women participants.

Tunku Noor Hayati assisted participants in completing their assigned group tasks.

Workshop participants worked diligently in their respective groups to complete the given assignments.

The Mutiara Manis Group collaborated actively to finalise their group task.

The JDT Sinar Selatan Group presented their proposal on the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025.

The KT Group presented their planning, collaboration, and financial strategies for the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction.

The Mutiara Manis Group presented their proposal on the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025.

Dato’ Nurzarina Sepran from the Melor Wangi Group presented the planning, collaboration, and financial framework for the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025.

Azlifa Md Idris from the Tuah Mahsuri Group also presented her group’s proposal on the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025.

The Royal Belum Pahang Group presented their vision for the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025.

Participants from the Borneo Group also presented their proposal for the PERKIM Women’s Strategic Direction (2.0) 2025.

At the end of the workshop, PERKIM Women participants posed for a group photograph, cheerfully giving a thumbs-up gesture to commemorate the occasion.