By Geryl Ogilvy
KUCHING, Feb 13: The Darul Hana Mosque has set up its own Al Quran disposal site, which will cater for needs in the state’s southern and central regions.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, said the facility will help the Muslim community dispose of old and unused Al Quran including literature and other printing materials with verses from the holy book in a proper, respective manner.
This included posters, calendars, study and exhibition materials, as well as decorations, amongst others, he added.
The facility is the second in Sarawak after the setting up of a similar incinerator machine at Assyakirin Mosque in Bintulu.
“Many still keep their old, unused Al Quran, especially those belonging to the parents, grandparents and older generations, because they don’t know how to dispose of these books. This is mostly out of respect.
“With the facility at Darul Hana Mosque, we encourage the Muslims to properly dispose of the Al Quran and other materials properly,” the Pantai Damai assemblyman said when launching the facility here today.
He gave a reminder that the Al Quran of mushaf, a collection of pages or written copy from the Al Quran, must be respected even if it is no longer in use.
Dr Abdul Rahman suggested that mosques and surau to also act as collection points for their respective communities, before such materials are sent to the disposal site.
“The facility is charging RM20 for the first 5kg, followed by an extra RM2 for every subsequent kilo. Items can be sent to the mosque during office hours.
“With the facility in Bintulu catering for the northern region, our facility here can provide services to the southern region from Lundu all the way to Sri Aman and even Sibu,” he said.
He advised community leaders and committee members of mosques and surau to disseminate the information to the public.
Dr Abdul Rahman said ashes from the furnace will be collected and put in water-proof bags before being thrown into the sea.
He added that the idea to set up the facility was proposed by former state Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Ismaili Bujang Pit, who now heads the Darul Hana Mosque cooperative at the MMEA complex in Muara Tebas.
In 2016, the cooperative ordered an incinerator from Terengganu and had it transported to the state at a total cost of RM16,000.
With over 1,475kg of old, unused Al Quran and other relevant materials properly disposed of, the furnace was transferred to Darul Hana Mosque to benefit the Muslim community in Kuching and the state’s southern region. — DayakDaily
