Kuala lumpur: The government is intensifying daily Fardu Ain (KAFA) classes and expanding dakwah (Islamic outreach) programmes during major Islamic celebrations to strengthen Islamic practices and enhance human capital among the Muslim Orang Asli community nationwide.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli stated that these short-term initiatives are being executed through programmes coordinated by Orang Asli Community Mobilisers (PMOA) and Orang Asli da'i (Islamic preachers). A community-centric approach is also being enhanced through targeted grassroots engagement and field activities.
"The government conducts regular interpersonal outreach visits to provide religious guidance, spiritual support, and welfare assistance to the Orang Asli community," Marhamah noted. She was responding to a question from Senator Shahrol Wizan Sulong in the Dewan Negara on the government's plans to bolster Islamic teachings among the Muslim Orang Asli community.
Marhamah emphasized the government's immediate focus on enhancing dakwah efforts through strategic collaboration between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Islamic Dakwah Foundation Malaysia (YADIM), and state Islamic religious departments and councils. To revitalize suraus (prayer halls) in Orang Asli villages, the federal government, through JAKIM, currently provides allowances to 13 administrative assistants who conduct religious classes. Additionally, 75 imams and 66 bilals from the Orang Asli community have been appointed to lead religious activities.
In terms of long-term strategy, Marhamah stated that the government is committed to building a more structured, integrated, and sustainable dakwah ecosystem for the Orang Asli community. A Special Orang Asli Dakwah Unit has been established under the Islamic Understanding Strengthening Branch of JAKIM's Dakwah Division, alongside the Du'at Development Division, to coordinate and improve the effectiveness of dakwah programmes for the Orang Asli community.
These initiatives are further supported through the appointment of seven PMOA coordinators, 243 PMOAs under JAKIM, and 10 Orang Asli da'i under YADIM across Peninsular Malaysia, along with dakwah personnel appointed by state authorities based on local needs. Responding to a supplementary question on programme effectiveness, Marhamah said that embedding PMOAs and Orang Asli da'i within the community allows for continuous engagement and better assessment of how Islamic teachings are being understood and practiced in daily life.