Shah Alam, Dec. 27 (BNA): Mosques and non-Muslim places of worship in some areas of Selangor are now used as unofficial crossing points to collect relief items from various parties before distributing them to flood victims.
Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that an examination conducted by Bernama in several mosques, Surao and temples found that some of these buildings were also submerged but were cleaned once the flood waters receded.
Deputy Head of Taman Sri Muda Al Falah Mosque, Section 25, Muhammad Nur Awang, 56, said all forms of assistance and information regarding donations received would be disseminated via WhatsApp to the residents.
“We accept whatever is donated and we will inform in the community group (WhatsApp) for those who need kitchen utensils, children’s and women’s clothes etc. to come and collect it,” he said, adding that there were two mosques and six Suraos in the flood-affected Taman Sri Muda district.
Examination in Kampung Labohan Dagang, Banting found the same situation when all flood-damaged mosques and Surau were used to store relief items for flood victims.
Al Mutamna Mosque official, Nur Azni Sanut, 56, said that the cleaned-up mosque is now used as an informal food distribution center as the nearest flood relief center could not accommodate all the donated items.
There is currently a lot of used clothes tossing, he said, but what flood victims need now are mattresses, pillows, totos, prayer clothes and things.
Observations at several locations in the village found that residents were doing cleaning work and even Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Jobs) Datuk Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmed was also seen helping flood victims in Kampung Labhuhan Dagang.
Meanwhile, Sri Maha Mariman temple, Taman Sri Muda, received various kinds of aid, and people of different races came to help clean up the temple area and distribute relief items.
According to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Treasurer, M. Sukumaran, in his fifties, the flood disaster united the multi-ethnic community.
“I don’t know where all this help came from today. There are Malays and Chinese…and all these people came to help clean our temple and distribute aid to people here as well. People regardless of race and religion help each other,” he said.
MI