YADIM Programmes Help Prison Prospects Turn Over A New Leaf As Muezzin, Quran Teacher

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Behind the stone walls and iron bars of Penang Prison lie extraordinary stories shaped by the dakwah programme and the Nadi Ilmu Amalan Membaca (NILAM) reading initiative carried out by the Islamic Dakwah Foundation of Malaysia (YADIM).

Beyond nurturing a closer relationship with Allah, the programme has also transformed the lives of prospects or inmates at Penang Prison - with some even stepping forward to serve as teachers at the prison surau.

One of the prospects, Ahmad, 43, from Penang, said he was arrested in 2023 under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. He claimed he had been deceived by a friend who asked him to deliver goods, which ultimately led to his arrest with one kilogramme of ganja.

Ahmad admitted that the test was a difficult one for him, but he chose to rise above it. Today, he serves as an Iqra teacher at the prison surau and has completed reciting the Quran four times since being remanded.

“Our routine in prison begins early with the Subuh (dawn) prayer, followed by the Dhuha (voluntary) prayer then Iqra and Quran recitation classes. So far, I have completed riciting the Quran four times here, and I also teach other inmates,” he said.

“If given the opportunity, I want to contribute to the community by serving at the mosque. Alhamdulillah, the NILAM programme by YADIM has provided us with a wealth of new knowledge through the books made available,” he told reporters here today.

Ahmad was met after the Penang Prison-level Maulidur Rasul celebration and the launch of the NILAM programme, which was officiated by YADIM deputy president Prof Dr Adi Anuar Azmin and attended by Penang Prison director Zool Fadli Ismail.

Another inmate, who wished to be identified only as Ibrahim, 50, now serves as a prison surau bilal (muezzin). He also teaches the Quran and actively takes part in weekly religious programmes while awaiting the outcome of his case under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which has been ongoing for more than four years.

The former fisherman said that throughout his time in prison, he has consistently attended religious classes, an experience that has completely transformed his life.

“I have been studying religion for almost five years, serving as a ‘bilal’ and teaching the Quran. We are also blessed, as YADIM provides us with various forms of knowledge every month, including the recent NILAM programme. Although we do not yet know our fate in terms of punishment, I believe everything happens by Allah’s will.

“The NILAM programme has helped us greatly by providing reading materials, especially on religious knowledge, which brings us closer to Allah,” said Ibrahim, a father of four children aged between nine and 27.

The NILAM programme was introduced on the proposal of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in line with the MADANI concept which emphasises the importance of reading as a foundation for nurturing good moral values and noble character.

-- BERNAMA