KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has donated 25,000 packs of 10kg rice to the needy in the city for the holy month of Ramadan.
Istana Negara Grand Chamberlain (Datuk Paduka Maharajalela), Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, presented the donations on behalf of His Majesty at Masjid Saidina Hamzah, Kampung Batu Muda, here, today.
Azuan said that the donations are a heartfelt personal contribution from His Majesty to the needy in Kuala Lumpur.
"Even though the donations of 10 kilograms of rice may seem small, they mean a lot to those in need, especially with the high price of rice.
"Rice is an essential food item in Malaysia. This donation is hoped to alleviate the burden of the needy, especially during Ramadan," he told reporters after the handing-over ceremony.
He said more donations from His Majesty are being organised for those in need, including after Ramadan.
Azuan said Istana Negara, in collaboration with the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), has designated 10 mosques to distribute the donations.
Each mosque will receive 2,500 packets of rice to distribute to the needy. The price of the 10 kilograms of rice is approximately RM38.
The rice packs will be distributed every Monday to Friday throughout the month of Ramadan from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm by mosque committees.
The Armed Forces assisted in delivering the 25,000 rice packs to the mosques.
This is the second mosque to receive the donation after Masjid Al-Imam Al-Ghazali, Bandar Manjalara.
The other mosques that will receive the rice packs are Masjid Amru bin Al-'As, Bandar Baru Sentul; Masjid Al-Imam Al-Shafie, Maluri; Masjid Abu Ubaidah Al-Jarrah, Sri Rampai; Masjid Al-Akram, Datuk Keramat; Masjid Al-Muqarrabin, Bandar Tasik Selatan; Masjid Talhah bin Ubaidillah, Bukit Jalil; Masjid Al-Ikhlasiah, Bukit Kerinchi; and Masjid Jamek Al Khadijiah, Pantai Dalam.