PERAK READY TO HELP AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY STUDENT BRING HOME 'KITAB TURATH' - MB

IPOH, April 17 (Bernama) -- The Perak state government has stated its readiness to assist a Malaysian student at Al-Azhar University in Egypt to bring home the 200 kitab turath (indegenious Nusantara books) written by past Muslim scholars in the Malay World that he independently collected since 2020.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state government appreciates the efforts of Muhammad Nur Hadi Sallehuddin, 24, a student under the sponsorship of the Perak Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) to preserve the books.

“We will discuss with MAIPk and to what extent that the state government can assist will depend on the discussions,” he told reporters after launching the cash aid and emergency assistance (Bantuan Sara Diri dan Bantuan Kecemasan) for Perak university students at the State Secretary’s Office near here, today.

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Saarani said collecting the old books was challenging, adding that any form of recognition or appreciation of the effort can motivate others to do the same.

Muhammad Nur Hadi is a final year Usuluddin student at the university, majoring in Hadith Studies, and reportedly spent nearly RM20,000 of his savings to acquire the books.

On the financial assistance for Perak-born university students, Saarani said the initiative aims to lessen the financial burden of students from less privileged families and those facing unexpected situations.

“The Bantuan Sara Diri category aims to help cover expenses throughout their studies, such as transportation costs, rent, printing of learning materials, meal expenses, and other related expenses.

“Meanwhile, the emergency assistance is to help students affected by tragedies such as accidents, health problems, natural disasters, theft and unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

He added that the Perak government has allocated RM2 million for this initiative, and the students can apply online at www.eheyns.com.my.

“The application for Bantuan Sara Diri will be opened in two phases, from today until May 17, 2024 and the second phase is expected to begin in August or September,” he said, adding that the application for the emergency assistance will start from October this year.  

-- BERNAMA