GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continues with its 40-year tradition of iftar (breaking of fast) involving the campus community and local residents this Ramadan.
USM Ramadan activities committee chairman Zayed Zahari said the ukhwah ceremony was held at the Al Malik Khalid Mosque at USM's Pusat Islam for all staff and students of the university, including the non-Muslims.
He said the programme is aimed at strengthening friendship between the campus community and the local residents.
"This activity is not only for the breaking of fast but (it) starts from the process of preparing the meal, where we have more than 300 workforce consisting of the campus community and the general public.
"The division of work has been made to facilitate the work which starts from the purchase of cooking ingredients to the distribution of the food once it is cooked.
"This tradition has been carried out since the establishment of USM's Pusat Islam and is still continuing to this day. This activity was halted for a while during the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.
Zayed said, every day, starting from the first day of Ramadan, his team would cook iftar meals for about 2,000 to 2,500 people.
"This amount is determined by the situation on campus. Just like now, some students are on semester break, so we will prepare food for 2,000 to 2,500 people. InsyaAllah, we will cook for 3,000 people next week because the students have already started their studies.
"Our team is divided into three, which is the team for preparing iftar ingredients, the preparation of raw materials such as washing of chicken and meat (including cooking) and the team for serving food at the mosque.
"All preparation work starts as early as 10am every day because we prepare food in large quantities," he added.
Meanwhile, on the preparation of the menu, Zayed said it was determined by a special committee made up of USM's own staff.
"The menus that are served up are different every day. Among the menu items that have been served are tomato rice, nasi minyak, nasi hujan panas, chicken kurma, ayam masak merah, and meat curry.
"As for drinks, it depends on the public's contributions. Alhamdullilah, all the food cooked for the day will be fully distributed," he said.
Zayed said those wanting to enjoy the food for breaking of fast were given two options — either to break fast at the mosque or to take home the prepared food.
"We encourage them to break fast at the mosque together, but if anyone wants to break fast at home, they are welcome to bring their own food containers to fill with the food prepared.
"In the grounds of the mosque, we have prepared tents, tables and chairs for those who choose to break fast at the mosque. All this is for the comfort of the public during iftar," he said.
Zayed said, more interestingly, non-Muslim students also helped in preparing and packing the food for iftar.
"The reason we give opportunities to non-Muslim students to help is to strengthen relationships with one another.
"Students involved are also seen having fun when they can pack food together, scoop food and tidy up," he said.
Commenting on the fund, Zayed said that the fund for the iftar ceremony at the mosque was a contribution from the public, USM staff and students.
"For staff, they have a salary deduction scheme every month under the salary deduction system. Under that system, staff can choose the amount to donate.
"We also receive funds from the public, local residents and the students themselves. Every year, the collection is very encouraging and this further strengthens the spirit of our team to continue preparing iftar meals at the Al Malik Khalid Mosque," he added.
