SEOUL: The Sarawak government hopes to assist Muslim children from the Pacific Islands to obtain education by continuing their studies at international Islamic schools in the state.

Sarawak Premier and President of the Regional Islamic Da'wah Council of Southeast Asia & the Pacific (RISEAP), Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the initiative is Sarawak's effort to assist other member countries in empowering the Muslim community in their respective regions.

"I have informed the RISEAP Executive Committee that we in Sarawak have established an international Islamic school.

"And we will provide opportunities for Muslim children in the Pacific Islands where there is a lack of education in the area to study in Sarawak, in our schools.

"It will further strengthen ties between the communities in the RISEAP area and those countries," he said when interviewed by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) and TVS after chairing the 36th RISEAP Executive Committee Meeting here on Wednesday.

The Premier added that a similar initiative was previously implemented by Malaysia in assisting the Muslim community in Bosnia.

He explained that the approach implemented by RISEAP is also in line with the concept of dakwah 'Bil Hal' which focuses on empowering the universal ummah.

"Therefore, with its socio-economic condition still low, we feel it is one of our acts of worship to provide space for two, three or 10 people to study at international Islamic schools, as 'residential scholars', reaching a high level.

"Eventually they will return to their home countries to contribute back to their countries," added the Premier.

Earlier in the meeting, he informed that RISEAP had received several reports on activities carried out by member countries.

Also present were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordinator for the Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, RISEAP Honorary Secretary, Dato' Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, President of the Sarawak Islamic Council, Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Mufti, Datuk Kipli Yasin and other RISEAP exco members. - UKASnews

Reporter: Harry Ilias
Translator: Ryan Lim
Photographer: Ameerul Syafiq Khir