Opening of Penang Islamic Digital Library

GEORGE TOWN, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government has allocated RM5 million for the development of the Penang Islamic Digital Library (PIDL) which is a modern, virtual library in the state.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said PIDL, which has more than 1,500 digital Islamic reading modules, would be fully operated by the International Islamic College of Technology (KITAB) which is an Islamic higher education institution wholly owned by the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).

"Like my first visit to KITAB last December, today I am happy to come back here to witness another milestone of our mutual pride, which is that the PIDL has finally been realised.

"Just like the existing Penang Digital Library (PDL), the state government hopes the PIDL facility can be fully utilised by students and professionals in all institutions as well as all Penangites to increase productivity, knowledge and accelerate our goal to create a smart community ecosystem which is technological and highly knowledgeable ," he said in his speech here today.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of PIDL and Ah-Hady Centre (AHC) as well as the KITAB Penang Silver Jubilee celebration which was officiated by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman and KITAB Penang Board chairman Dr Roslan Ahmad.

Chow said the AHC was in line with the establishment of PIDL as a digital information resource centre and it would complement the functions and role of AHC as an entity to integrate Islamic thought and civilisation through scientific research.

"Starting from a Maahad Tahfiz since 1995, now KITAB has taken a step forward to become a strong and solid institution, with today’s Silver Jubilee marking the journey towards a new and more challenging phase for KITAB," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zakiyuddin said KITAB’s commitment was in line with the Gagasan Khaira Ummah 2030, which is a comprehensive development plan for Penang Muslims to prepare the best for Muslims by 2030.

Ahmad, who is also president of MAINPP, said the idea of Khaira Ummah 2030 is also, among others, to empower Muslims in Penang through knowledge, economic, family, youth and spiritual development programmes.

“To fulfill the aspirations and main agenda of elevating KITAB to a university by 2030, MAINPP has approved a proposal to develop a wakaf-based KITAB campus on seven hectares of land given by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, near here.

“The development of KITAB campus is to create a Wakaf-based Islamic university in Penang by 2030," he said.

-- BERNAMA