FOUNDATION KICKS OFF SPECIAL FUND WITH US$29,420 CONTRIBUTION

IPOH (Malaysia), Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation
Thursday started the ball rolling for a special fund here to help victims of
Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines, earthquake-triggered tsunami in Samoa and
the earthquake that hit West Sumatra recently, with a RM100,000 (US$29,420)
contribution.

The Crown Prince of northern state of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Thursday
called on the mosque committees throughout the state to put up donation boxes at
the mosques on Oct 16 for the Friday prayer congregations to contribute to the
fund.

Raja Nazrin Shah also urged the Mufti Department to prepare a special sermon
to be delivered at the mosques on that day, encouraging Muslims to be charitable
and help the victims of the disasters rebuild their lives.

"For the fund, I am also asking the various institutions, public and private
oganisations, voluntary bodies and individuals to assist the victims by
contributing in cash or kind such as equipment, medical supplies, clothes and
used items, as well as voluntary service," he said when chairing the 168th
Conference of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council at the Darul
Ridzuan Islamic Complex, here, Thursday.

The Raja Muda suggested that the state government also set up a special fund
to assist the disaster victims.

"Schools and kindergartens should also be part of the donation campaign by
making children realise the sufferings of the thousands of victims of
disasters through the messages delivered at the school assemblies, to instil
compassion, a caring attitude and the willingness to help others in need."

Raja Nazrin Shah suggested that the donation drive begin Thursday and end on
Nov 30, and the collection handed over through a proper channel by mid-December.

He said the people's gratefulness to God for not being affected by disasters
could be demonstrated through the realisation and sincerity to extend aid and
assistance to the victims.
-- BERNAMA