GUA MUSANG: Ramadan is a lively affair for the Orang Asli community from the Temiar tribe living in the Pos Hendrop settlement located deep in the interior.
A religious teacher and an Imam appointed by the Kelantan Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK), Aris Rami, said more than 800 of the 1,000 residents who are Muslims enliven the fasting month with religious activities held at the settlement’s Al-Hidayah Mosque.
“The villagers and I try to enliven the month of Ramadan by performing the tarawih prayers and reciting the al-Quran combined with short religious talks for spiritual strengthening sessions among them.
“The religious Fardu Ain (individual obligation) classes are held every Friday and Saturday, plus a question-and-answer session between me and the villagers,” he told reporters when met at Pos Hendrop here recently.
The 53-year-old said he would also strive to ensure that the community in the settlement receives Islamic guidance and knowledge from an early age despite being separated from the outside world due to its location.
“I was given the task of educating the Orang Asli folks at Pos Hendrop so they could learn about Islam more than 20 years ago.
“Religious programmes and learning increase during Ramadan as various activities are held every day throughout the month for all residents here,” he said.
Holding fast to the Malay proverb melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya (the teaching of a child must start when they are young), Aris focuses his effort on guiding the community, beginning with the children, as well as helping the adults learn more about the religion.
“I am committed to continuing to guide the people in this community, especially the children, so that they grow up following the Islamic teachings.
“I will make sure the children know and memorise the du’a (supplication) and short verses by always making them do revisions on what they have learned before starting a new session. They are also now good at reading the al-Quran,” he added. – BERNAMA
