USM, PENANG, June 2016 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has always strive to educate and instill in its community a strong spirit of humanitarian to go alongside its efforts to develop the knowledge of Science and Technology.

Speaking at the breaking of fast ‘Iftar Perdana’ with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, T.Y.T Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman Haji Abbas at the USM Al-Malik Khalid Mosque recently, USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman said that Ramadhan is a month full of blessings, gratefulness and spiritual cleansing.

“It is a month to strengthen further the act of sincere love as demonstrated through the efforts and mindfulness of the USM community towards those whom Allah SWT has tested with trials and hardships, including those who have lost their loved ones.

“For example, on the 1st March this year, in the blink of an eye, four children aged 8 to 15 lost both parents in a road accident.

“The USM community responded by coming together and collected donations close to RM26,000 which has been deposited into the Yayasan USM Special Education Fund, to be managed by a special committee for the welfare of the four children,” said Omar.

Besides that, the USM community was very concerned with the suffering of the Palestinian people, and has set up a special Palestinian Fund two years ago, with contributions coming from the campus community and public, to assist the Palestinian students studying in USM.

“This is part of our efforts to strike a balance between developing the growth of knowledge focusing on Science and Technology, and developing the soul, individuality and humanity.

“Developing the soul involved loving others, caring for others and understanding the sufferings and hardships of others, and it is part of USM's journey to create a more sustainable future,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

At the same function, USM Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Mustafa Mansur handed donations to 11 of the 32 Palestinian students studying in USM who were present, while The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang presented donations to the orphans.

Meanwhile, a Ph.D student in Computer Science from Palestine, Mohammed Elhalabi, 32, expressed his gratitude to the USM community for showing concern about the plight of the Palestinian people and is happy to break fast together with the Vice-Chancellor and principal officers of USM, savouring the free food prepared by USM Islamic Centre during the fasting month.

“This is the ninth year I have been staying in Malaysia, and every time when Ramadhan comes, though I miss my parents, siblings and friends back home in Palestine, my course mates and the local students treat me like a family member, making me feel very much at home.

“I really appreciate having the opportunity to further my study here in USM and getting the support from my school and the university,” said Mohammed Elhalabi, who stays in Penang with his wife, also doing her Ph.D in Computer Science and two children.

For Ainatul Balqis Hanizar, 15, the contributions from USM would help to ease the financial burden of her and her siblings especially in terms of their schooling expenses.

“During Ramadhan, I have fond memories of my siblings and I breaking fast with our parents which I will remember for the rest of my life,” she said.

Some 4,000 people from among the university community, invited guests and neighboring residences attended the Iftar Perdana organised by USM’s Student Development Affairs and Alumni Division and Islamic Centre.

Also present were the Persatuan Melayu Pulau Pinang (PEMENANG) President Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff, USM Board of Governor member Profesor Datuk Dr. Omar Shawkataly, Consul-General of Japan in Penang Kiyoshi Itoi and wife, Honorary Consul-General of Pakistan Dato’ Haji Abdul Rafique Abdul Karim, Penang State Mufti Dato’ Dr. Haji Wan Salim Wan Mohd. Noor as well as USM Deputy Vice-Chancellors and head of departments.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Mohamad Abdullah & Syuhada Abd. Aziz / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa