TANAH MERAH: This year's Hari Raya celebration was made more special and meaningful for some 100 orphans and religious students when they received 'duit raya' from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.
The orphans and the students who were from several areas received the cash donation during a breaking of fast organised by the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) at the Batang Merbau mosque.
Among those who received the money were best friends Alif Husaini Kadir and Syed Muhd Aliqullah Syed Muhd Farhan.
Alir said he and his friends were happy that they were invited to the event.
"Attending this breaking of fast is like a dream for me as l have never met the deputy prime minister before.
"This was my first experience to see and shake hands with him," said the 19-year-old.
Aliqullah thanked the deputy prime minister for the donation and said he would use the money to buy new shoes for Hari Raya.
"I am really excited because apart from getting the duit raya, l can meet our leader personally.
"He was so humble and nice," said the 14-year-old.
The two are from the Al Furqan religious school in Tanah Merah.
Apart from duit raya, Kesedar also allocated about RM300,000 for 152 mosques and 350 surau under its jurisdiction for Ramadan activities and other purposes.