Malaysia Bank Islam brings Ramadan cheer to city folk

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The staff of Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (Bank Islam) from Kuala Lumpur and Miri brought Ramadan cheer to the city folk here recently.On Wednesday, seven employees from the KL headquarters, headed by general manager for consumer banking Khairul Kamaruddin, joined their Miri counterparts led by Abdul Malek Abdullah organised several activities in the city in conjunction with the fasting month of Ramadan.“As a caring society, it is our responsibility to be sensitive towards the less fortunate in looking after their welfare,” said Khairul at a Berbuka Puasa dinner in Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (Eastwood) last Wednesday night.They play host to 143 orphans and senior citizens from Peryatim Lutong, Sarawak Orphans Welfare Board, and Miri Home for the Aged at the fast-breaking dinner.“During this berbuka puasa, let’s together build a cheerful environment as one family, regardless of race or religion, and it’s my hope that we can build a long lasting bond,” said Khairul, who thanked all their customers who spared the time to attend the dinner, and all the staff involved in making it a success.At the dinner, Khairul and Bank Islam assistant general manager for consumer banking Mohamad Iran Moriff Mohd Shariff handed out ‘duit raya’ packets to 10 residents of Home for the Aged, 36 orphans of Peryatim Lutong, and 68 orphans of Hamidah Complex in Permyjaya.“Bank Islam always encourages its staff to contribute to the welfare of the community in strengthening relations with Miri folk,” he said.Earlier in the morning, some 15 Bank Islam employees met 28 residents of the Home of the Aged at Jalan Jee Foh 7 in Krokop managed by Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Board, represented by Sister Ursula Lian and Leong Chee Seng.Khairul and his staff presented hampers of clothing and food to the residents.“This small gesture will, hopefully, inculcate the spirit of caring for the elderly within the community where Bank Islam operates, and create an environment where everyone can enjoy the occasion as a family regardless of their race and religion.“Bank Islam is always ready to organise corporate programmes, more so during the month of Ramadan,” he said.They later distributed 2,000 Ramadan packs containing dates and drinks to visitors of Ramadan Bazaar in Saberkas, Miri.They took the opportunity to explain their products and services based on the Syariah to visitors from all walks of life.“This year, we have the opportunity to hold ‘berbuka puasa’ programmes in Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang and Klang Valley.“We hope the modest contribution from Bank Islam will help in reducing the burden of maintenance costs, and cheering up the children and senior citizens,” he said.Bank Islam Ramadan programmes this year involved 683 orphans, 113 single mothers and senior citizens in 18 orphanages and social welfare homes nationwide, and the bank contributed RM147,100 to all the needy folk involved.“As a banking institution, we have a responsibility not only to provide banking services, but also to play a role in the development and advancement of society in the territory we operate in,” he added.Bank Islam was established in 1983 as the nation’s first Islamic bank.Today, it has a network of 119 branches and more than 1,000 self-service terminals nationwide.To meet the diversity of the public financial needs, Bank Islam offers more than 50 Shariah-based banking products and services for Muslims and non-Muslims./129