PUTRAJAYA: Ten of the 100 containers housing various Malaysian contributions have already been distributed to Gaza residents over the last month.
The head of the emergency aid mission to Gaza, Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby, said the 10 containers, which carried flour, personal hygiene kits, aid boxes and medicine, were sent to Gaza in stages.
“We waited nearly three months for clearance to bring them in; we are thrilled and extremely grateful.
“I count this as a blessing from the prayers of all Malaysians.
“Two containers were sent to Gaza last month while eight others were sent last Friday.
“The items in the containers were distributed to those in need,” he said after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar flagged off the “Misi Jelajah Peduli Ummah: Sejahtera Insan Al-Falah” convoy here yesterday.
Malaysia previously sent 100 containers comprising 1,358 tonnes of goods to Gaza as part of the fourth humanitarian aid mission, which was launched in March by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and coordinated by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim).
Sani Araby, who is also Mapim chief executive officer, said the 10 containers were brought in through Rafah before proceeding to Karem Abu Salem and later to Gaza, Bernama reported.
“We are now arranging to bring in the remaining 90 containers via land through Jordan.
“We have been dealing with the relevant parties for the past two months.
“I expect to hear positive news perhaps within a month,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im stated that the “Jelajah Peduli Ummah” programme, which was launched yesterday, is a collaborative effort among several agencies, including the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim), Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and Zus Coffee.
“This is an example of how our communities, irrespective of their backgrounds, can work together to achieve the same goal: to help the ummah in need.
“The main goal of this expedition is to deliver assistance to the asnaf (those eligible to receive zakat or tithe) and the B40 group, students, orphans, the elderly, Orang Asli, flood victims and various other segments of society in need of special assistance.”
Sani Araby said Mapim had mobilised 3,000 volunteers and 20 assets, including mobile kitchens and clinics, nationwide to cater to the needy.
He said the humanitarian initiative through the “Konvoi Misi Jelajah Peduli Ummah: Sejahtera Insan Al-Falah”, is being implemented from this month until next February, targeting about 100,000 recipients.
Throughout the programme, several activities would also be carried out, including the “Ummah Help Ummah” Mission; “Peduli Ummah: Sejahtera Insan dengan Nilai Al-Falah” Carnival; “Majlis Selawat and Solat Hajat”; “Ziarah Mu’saadah Dakwah dan Jiwa Murni Al-Falah” and the Asnaf and Orphans Aid Mission.
