KUALA LUMPUR: A non-governmental organisation in Malaysia is collecting donations to build a mosque in Cambodia to replace the old premises that were demolished because it was no longer safe.
Pertubuhan Istiqomah Al-Hijrah of Kota Warisan Sepang in Selangor has been granted permission by the Highest Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Cambodia to start the project which is estimated to cost RM2.5 million.
Its chairman, Hasbullah Mat said the initiative started five years ago but it was stopped for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that they are continuing the effort now as the situation has allowed them to do so.
He said his team had made several visits to Cambodia to discuss issues related to the project.
According to Hasbullah, the organisation has also paid a courtesy call on the Cambodian Senior Minister in charge of Special Mission (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Othsman Hassan.
The mosque that will be named the Istiqomah Mosque will be constructed in Jerymin Village located in the Tbong Khmum province, about 170km from Phnom Penh.
“The old mosque was dilapidated, lacked in facilities and in poor condition and unsafe to be used for worship. This new, more comfortable and spacious mosque is expected to accommodate up to 500 people,” he told Bernama today.
The mosque will also be a centre for religious activities and training and a community centre open to the public from various religions and cultures in Cambodia, he said.
Hasbullah said that based on the planning and cost calculation, about RM1 million is needed to make the project a success, adding that the construction, which is expected to take a year to complete, will begin when the funds have reached 50 per cent.
Association for Islamic Education of Cambodia chairman, Ustaz Arafath Yusof, who is currently in Malaysia, told Bernama that the number of Muslims in his country has now reached 700,000 out of its total population of 17 million, adding that contributions to finance the project have started to come in.
“I found that Pertubuhan Istiqomah Al-Hijrah Kota Warisan Sepang is genuinely trying to help in this effort. I sincerely hope that this good relationship continues to achieve the common goal of religious development in Cambodia,” he said, adding that he is grateful for their effort.
One unit of the fund is worth RM50 and donations can be channelled to the organisation’s Maybank account at 5686 0303 6185.
Contributors can also visit bit.ly/wakaf-Istiqomah to make donations. — BERNAMA
