by: SAFIYYA NUR SAKEENA SALLEHUDDIN
SUNGAI PETANI, 17 NOVEMBER 2024 – The final destination of the Educational Rehlah for students from the PERKIM Islamic Studies Class (KPIPK) brought them to the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Islamic Guidance Centre (PUSBA) in Jalan Pegawai this Sunday morning.
This visit to PUSBA was the closing chapter of the Motivation for New Muslims program, which saw the participation of 102 KPIPK students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
According to the program coordinator, Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, this initiative provided the students—comprising mualaf (new Muslim converts)—with insights into the development of Islam through visits to key Islamic institutions in Penang and Kedah over the past two days.
The group explored the rich heritage and functions of Masjid Kapitan Keling, Kompleks Darul Hidayah, Masjid Al-Busyra, and the Murtadha Dakwah Centre (MADAD). Each visit aimed to deepen their understanding of the Islamic faith and the unique roles these centers play within the community.
On this final day, PERKIM Kebangsaan facilitated a visit to PUSBA, a dedicated center established to educate new Muslims on Islamic teachings. The students were warmly welcomed by PUSBA staff, led by its Principal, Ustaz Syeikh Muhammad Suhaimi Zulkiflee.
The event started with a corporate video showcasing PUSBA’s history and mission, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of the institution. The casual and intimate session was hosted by Ustaz Wan Hariz Hazimin Abdul Rahman, the coordinator for PUSBA’s weekly classes.
During his welcoming speech, Syeikh Muhammad Suhaimi shared the center’s origins, established in 1998 with operational funding provided by the Kedah State Zakat Department. He detailed how PUSBA, initially named the New Muslim Guidance and Training Centre, was born from a collective resolution to address challenges faced by new Muslims, including apostasy, by providing structured Islamic education.
In 2007, the center’s name was officially changed to Islamic Guidance Centre. Subsequently, in 2008, it was renamed the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Islamic Guidance Centre following its inauguration by the Sultan of Kedah.
Syeikh Muhammad Suhaimi emphasized that PUSBA plays a crucial role not only as a hub for Islamic propagation among non-Muslims but also as a center for strengthening Islamic understanding and values among Muslims in Kedah. The facility is equipped to accommodate
128 students and includes amenities such as a prayer hall, multipurpose hall, dormitories, classrooms, and a library.
He also highlighted PUSBA’s close relationship with PERKIM, likening it to a sibling bond.
Meanwhile, PERKIM Kebangsaan’s Director of Education and Human Development, Dr. Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, expressed her gratitude to PUSBA for hosting the delegation. She commended PUSBA for its significant contributions, noting its similarities to PERKIM’s mission of supporting and educating mualaf through KPIPK.
Dr. Suariza explained that while KPIPK students follow a daily schedule with a structured syllabus and credit requirements, PUSBA offers full-time education with specialized subjects aimed at producing capable and qualified mualaf.
She was particularly impressed with the strong emphasis on Islamic education in both Penang and Kedah, which she believes contributes to nurturing well-rounded Muslim converts capable of becoming educators and community leaders.
Dr. Suariza also delivered a message of respect and gratitude on behalf of PERKIM’s Senior Director of Dakwah, YBhg Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin, who was unable to attend due to official duties.
The event concluded with a token exchange between Dr. Suariza and Syeikh Muhammad Suhaimi, followed by a group photo session and a lunch reception.
Also present were PERKIM Kebangsaan’s Officers for Dakwah and Human Development, Ustaz Sulaiman Ding Yu Zhong, Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah, Ustazah Siti Munirah Sayed Mohd Hamdan, Financial Officer Hamidah Ismail, and PUSBA’s Quran Educator, Ustaz Mohd Noor Saad.
Mualaf students of the KPIPK Practical Educational Rehlah performed the congregational Subuh prayer at Kompleks Darul Hidayah, Penaga.
The participants of the KPIPK Practical Educational Rehlah arrived at PUSBA on Sunday morning.
A total of 102 participants of the KPIPK Practical Educational Rehlah arrived at PUSBA, a center for Islamic education for new Muslims in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
KPIPK participants and PUSBA’s new Muslim students gathered in PUSBA’s multipurpose hall.
Over 120 new Muslims gathered during the visit to PUSBA as part of the KPIPK Student Educational Rehlah Program.
Wan Hariz Hazimin Abdul Rahman, the Weekly Class Supervisor at PUSBA, hosted the visit’s event.
PUSBA’s Principal, Ustaz Syeikh Muhammad Suhaimi Zulkiflee (center), warmly welcomed the KPIPK new Muslim participants to PUSBA.
According to Ustaz Suhaimi, PUSBA serves as a center for propagating Islamic teachings among non-Muslims, particularly in Kedah.
Dr. Suariza believes that just as PERKIM plays its role through KPIPK, PUSBA similarly contributes by supporting the welfare and education of new Muslims.
Ustaz Jais also explained PERKIM’s daily Islamic classes to the audience.
Ustaz Suhaimi presented a token of appreciation from PUSBA to Dr. Suariza.
Dr. Suariza reciprocated by presenting a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Ustaz Suhaimi.
Ustaz Farhan Tee, a former PUSBA student, also received a token of appreciation from Ustaz Suhaimi.
PUSBA staff and the KPIPK Practical Educational Rehlah participants took a group photo at the end of the event.
Some KPIPK new Muslim students managed to take photos outside the PUSBA building with PUSBA’s leadership team.
