Melaka: Zakat Melaka has donated RM42,000 worth of Raya clothing to 210 underprivileged children, including orphans, to help ease financial burdens ahead of the upcoming Hari Raya celebration.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman stated that the ‘Tautan Kasih Ramadan Busana Aidilfitri Asnaf’ annual programme benefits primary school pupils from 42 schools across three districts in Melaka. Each school selected five children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive a full set of Raya clothes and duit raya (cash donations).

Datuk Rahmad Mariman also mentioned that this year, they increased the number of recipients to 210, up from 150 last year, and allowed the children to choose their own outfits. The event was attended by Zakat Melaka chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Azmi Sabtu.

The programme received RM20,000 in sponsorship from Public Islamic Bank Bhd. Rahmad encouraged local businesses to support more corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives like this to benefit even more families in need.

One of the parents, Halizan Halidon from Tebong, Alor Gajah, expressed her gratitude for the donation, which helps ease the financial strain of buying Raya clothes for her five children, as she only does odd jobs and lacks a fixed income.

Twelve-year-old Muhammad Alieff Irfan Abdul Aziz, another beneficiary, shared his excitement about choosing his own Raya outfit, which helped save his parents money. He noted that this is the second time he has received Raya clothing this year, compared to just one last year.