Tears of joy as students make parents proud

BY ELEAZAR BARRICK PETER & JACINTHA JOLENE

KUCHING: A widowed mother’s toil of raising six children finally paid off after her son, Mohamad Azzimizee Din, received the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) Director-General Award (Leadership) at the 19^th Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia Sarawak Convocation Ceremony here Tuesday (Sept 19).

The 21-year-old from Kampung Gedong, Simunjan who completed his Diploma in Dakwah Islamiyyah was among four graduands who received the excellence awards.

“My father passed way in 2009 when I was in Primary One and since then my mother has been the one caring for me and my older brothers.

“I’m sure that as I stood on that stage receiving the excellence award, she was very proud of me as she inspired me to strive for higher achievements during my three years of studying in IKMAS,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.

He said the award is a motivation to further his education for a bachelor’s degree in counselling at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

Izzudin (middle) with his father and mother.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Izzudin Muhammad Hazman, 21, from Kuching received the IKMAS Award (Personality).

He expressed his gratitude towards his parents for giving him the guidance and motivation to endure his three years of studying in IKMAS.

“I am beyond happy right now as I have never had the opportunity to go up on a stage to receive any kind of excellence award during my high school years.

“It was a blessed moment to be able to show my parents my achievements and to see their proud expressions along with some tears of joy witnessing me up on that stage,” he said.

Fauziah (middle) with her father and mother.

As for the recipient of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Award (Academic), Fauziah Rasid, 21, she is determined to continue her excellent performance and strive for even higher achievements in the future, with the hope of always making her parents proud.

“I am not only upholding the family’s good name but also serving as an inspiration to my younger siblings and peers to work diligently in their studies,” she added.

The recipient of the Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) Award in Co-curricular, Aziah Umairah Abdul Rahman, 21, meanwhile attributes her success to the unwavering support of her parents.

“My parents have provided me strong support to keep moving forward and to never give up on my studies here,” she said.