PERKIM Youths Sharpen Leadership Direction Through Three-Day Retreat In Melaka

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

ALOR GAJAH, Dec 14, 2025 — More than 50 youths from the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM), representing diverse educational and professional backgrounds, strengthened their leadership readiness, identity and sense of purpose through the three-day PERKIM Youth Leadership and Direction Retreat held at Kem Permata Resort, Jalan Air Tanai, here.

The holistic programme brought together participants aged between 15 and 35, including secondary school students, university undergraduates and working professionals with the aim of grooming a new generation of PERKIM leaders who are knowledgeable, principled, competitive and aligned with the organisation’s core missions of dakwah (outreach), education and welfare.

Programme coordinator, Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah said the retreat was designed to build a comprehensive understanding of the strategic role of youth as the organisation’s key asset, while sharpening the movement’s vision in line with contemporary needs and future challenges.

He said early exposure to dakwah-based leadership concepts was crucial to ensure the continuity of PERKIM’s struggle in an organised and effective manner.
“Youth are not merely implementers; they are the heirs to leadership responsibilities and must be equipped with knowledge, discipline and clear understanding,” he said.

The programme began with a briefing by the camp’s chief trainer, Muhammad Naf’al Mohd Rafiq, who outlined the rules, facilities, safety measures, discipline and time management to ensure smooth implementation and foster a strong sense of camaraderie among participants.

The highlight of the first day was the Youth Leadership Forum in PERKIM, chaired by Ustaz Farhan Tee, featuring two experienced panellists, PERKIM Deputy President, Datuk Haji Mohd Nakhaie Haji Ahmad and Ustaz Haji Muhammad Fitri Abdullah.

The forum underscored that PERKIM’s leadership philosophy is anchored on three main pillars of da’wah, education and welfare, and stressed the urgent need to nurture youth leadership succession to safeguard the organisation’s sustainability at the national level.

Datuk Nakhaie emphasised that leadership within PERKIM cannot be separated from its da’wah mission. He said leaders must possess conviction and commitment to convey the beauty of Islam with wisdom, not only to non-Muslims but also in strengthening the understanding and practice of Muslims themselves.

“The beauty of Islam should not be enjoyed in isolation; it must be conveyed wisely for the benefit of society as a whole,” he said, highlighting the importance of credibility, sound judgement and the ability to influence and unite followers.

Ustaz Fitri, meanwhile, spoke on the pivotal role of youth in injecting fresh ideas, creativity and technological skills into PERKIM’s work. He noted that mastery of technology and social media is a key strength in contemporary da’wah, enabling Islamic messages to be disseminated widely across boundaries.

“Dakwah today is no longer confined to the pulpit alone; digital platforms must be utilised in a disciplined and ethical manner,” he said, while stressing the importance of tarbiah, intellectual development and identity formation through continuous processes such as usrah.

The second day continued with comprehensive activities emphasising spiritual, physical and leadership balance. The programme began early with congregational Subuh prayers led by Ustaz Muhammad Al-Fateh Nizam, followed by aerobics and a 1.5-kilometre brisk walk around the camp.

Participants then took part in various fitness and confidence-building activities, including a 700-metre flying fox or zipline, a symbolic test of courage and determination. Despite initial apprehension among some participants, encouragement from teammates spurred them to rise to the challenge, boosting confidence and decision-making skills under pressure.

The official address on the second day was delivered by PERKIM National Women’s Chief, YTM Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Hajah Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, who stressed that the foundation of PERKIM youth leadership must remain firmly anchored in faith in Allah SWT.

According to Tunku Noor Hayati, the true strength of the ummah and the organisation does not lie solely in external factors, but begins with sincerity, conviction and unity in fulfilling the dakwah trust. She also expressed her readiness to work closely with both male and female youths, while reminding participants to keep dakwah efforts free from political interests.

Meanwhile, PERKIM Central Youth Council Chief, Muhammad Azhar Hafiz Mohd Shafie, in his welcoming remarks, said youths are PERKIM’s strategic asset and must be guided in a structured manner to emerge as resilient and credible leaders.

In the afternoon, participants were tested through an outdoor Obstacle Challenge that pushed their physical and mental endurance, featuring water obstacles, wobbly bridges, high walls, tunnels and muddy trails. The activity demanded teamwork, discipline and perseverance, in line with Islamic leadership principles.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Director of Administration of PERKIM National, YBhg Dr Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad.

In the evening, PERKIM youths gathered for group discussions to present ideas, views and proposals to be formulated into youth resolutions for submission to PERKIM’s top leadership. The session provided a platform for youths to voice their aspirations and desired direction in strengthening their role in dakwah, education and welfare.

Programme secretariat member Siti Masliana Mohd Ariffin also guided secondary school participants through light educational games and quizzes to encourage engagement.

The third day marked the programme’s climax with an explorace activity designed to test leadership capabilities, critical thinking and teamwork. Participants were divided into five groups and tasked with completing challenges at several strategic locations around the camp within a stipulated time.

The experiential learning-based activity required critical thinking, effective communication and creativity, while testing team cohesion through physical and mental challenges. Group One emerged as the overall champion, credited to its sound strategy and consistent team spirit.

Ustaz Farhan Tee said the three-day, two-night programme successfully shaped PERKIM youths who are balanced physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, while strengthening bonds of ukhuwah among participants from different states and backgrounds.

The retreat concluded with a group photo session and a farewell lunch in a warm and cordial atmosphere, leaving participants with meaningful experiences and renewed spirit to continue serving and leading with wisdom in ensuring the continuity of PERKIM’s dakwah, education and welfare mission.

Ustaz Farhan Tee, as the programme coordinator, welcomed participants from the PERKIM Youth at Kem Permata Resort, Melaka.

The camp’s chief trainer, Muhammad Naf’al Mohd Rafiq, delivered a briefing on rules, facilities, discipline and time management throughout the camp.

During the forum titled Youth Leadership in PERKIM, Datuk Nakhaie emphasised that youth leadership cannot be separated from the mission of dakwah.

Ustaz Fitri highlighted the significant role of youth in bringing fresh ideas, creativity and technological skills into PERKIM’s organisational work.

One of the participants posed a question during the question-and-answer session.

The Deputy Presidents took the opportunity to pose for a group photo with members of the PERKIM Central Youth Council committee.

A brisk walk activity was held on the second day after the participants completed their aerobics session.

Zipline instructor, Mohd Amirul Bashar Mohd Zubir provided a detailed briefing on safety aspects, the use of equipment and proper landing techniques.

Participants lined up, ready to challenge themselves in the flying fox activity.

One participant bravely descended the flying fox, embracing the challenge.

Despite feeling nervous and apprehensive, participants pushed themselves during the zipline activity.

A female participant appeared calm while descending in the challenging activity.

Tunku Noor Hayati attended the official opening ceremony of the PERKIM Youth Leadership and Direction Retreat.

Ustaz Farhan Tee opened the official ceremony of the PERKIM Youth Leadership and Direction Retreat in his capacity as master of ceremonies.

A PERKIM youth participant, Ustaz Muhammad Al-Fateh Nizam, led the opening prayer.

PERKIM youths raised their hands in supplication as the prayer was recited.

PERKIM Central Youth Council Chief, Azhar Hafiz, stressed that youth are a strategic asset of PERKIM who must be guided in a structured manner to emerge as credible leaders.

In her opening address, Tunku Noor Hayati expressed her readiness to work closely with youths, both men and women, in advancing PERKIM’s mission.

According to Tunku Noor Hayati, young people must be given space, trust and support to enable them to emerge as resilient and credible future leaders.

Tunku Noor Hayati posed for a commemorative photograph with PERKIM youths after the opening ceremony.

Youth participants took part in outdoor activities that challenged their physical and mental endurance.

Participants crossed the bridge cautiously to overcome the wobbly bridge challenge.

Muslimah youths crossed the wobbly bridge under the supervision of trainers.

Participants were required to scale a high wall as part of the Obstacle Challenge activity.

To test upper body strength, participants had to hang on to overcome the muddy pool challenge.

Participants swung on ropes to cross a pool filled with murky water.

Some participants were unable to complete the more difficult challenges.

Participants crawled carefully under barbed wire.

Participants took part in the water confidence activity, which required courage and emotional control when facing water-based obstacles.

Among the participants who successfully completed the water confidence activity.

PERKIM youths gathered in group discussion sessions to share ideas and insights, which were then formulated into youth resolutions to be presented to PERKIM’s top leadership.

Siti Masliana guided secondary school participants through light educational games and quizzes.

The explorace activity, which marked the climax of the programme, was fully conducted by the camp’s chief trainer, Muhammad Naf’al, challenging the participants physically, mentally and emotionally.

Ustaz Al-Fateh (centre) led his group during the explorace activity.

The task demanded high creativity, the courage to step forward and strong team cohesion within a short time.

The final checkpoint task required each group to perform a spontaneous skit or comedic act to make the organising team laugh.

Participants sang motivational and farewell songs together at the end of the retreat.

Ustaz Farhan Tee delivered his final message, urging youths to continue strengthening dakwah and the welfare of the ummah.

The PERKIM Youth Retreat drew to a close with a commemorative photo session involving participants and organisers.