Latest news with #PertubuhanAmalKomunitiBesut
Sinar Daily
30-06-2025
- Sinar Daily
Grave of UPSI student Nurly cordoned off amid superstition concerns
The overwhelming influx of visitors has led to troubling incidents. SHAH ALAM – The family of the late hafizah, Nurly Sahirah Azman, has erected a barrier around her grave to curb inappropriate behaviour by visitors, prompting religious authorities to issue a public reminder on proper conduct at burial grounds. Nurly Sahirah, 23, a student at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), died in a tragic bus accident near Tasik Banding, Gerik, on June 9. Her death moved the nation, especially after it was reported she passed away while holding a Quran and that her body emitted a pleasant fragrance, attributes often associated with piety in Islamic tradition. Since her burial at the Kampung Gong Pasir Muslim Cemetery in Kerandang, Terengganu, hundreds have visited her grave and family home to pay their respects. Many came to view her handwritten Quran and honour her commitment as a hafizah who routinely reviewed and transcribed verses to deepen her memorisation. However, the overwhelming influx of visitors has led to troubling incidents. Some individuals reportedly collected soil from her grave, storing it in plastic bags or smearing it on children's faces in the belief that it bore spiritual blessings. The family of the late hafizah, Nurly Sahirah Azman, has erected a barrier around her grave to curb inappropriate behaviour by visitors, prompting religious authorities to issue a public reminder on proper conduct at burial grounds Ahmad Nazrul Muhammad, a community activist with Pertubuhan Amal Komuniti Besut, confirmed that the family decided to cordon off the area with a rope barrier to prevent further desecration. 'We're not stopping anyone from visiting. People are still welcome to come and offer prayers but please, behave with dignity. 'When we visit a grave, we pray for the deceased. It is not a place to seek favours from the departed,' he said. The Besut District Religious Office reportedly begun monitoring the site and would take strict action against those found engaging in superstitious or un-Islamic practices. Night-time patrols are also expected to be carried out periodically. The situation has drawn national attention, including a strong statement from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. In a Facebook post on Saturday, Na'im reminded Muslims to observe proper adab when visiting burial sites and warned against turning graves into sources of superstition or self-promotion. "I have followed news reports about certain individuals allegedly taking soil from the grave of Nurly Shahirah Azman in the belief that it brings blessings. Such action is deplorable and goes against the principles of Islamic faith," he said. He warned that behaviours such as smearing grave soil on faces or attributing mystical powers to the deceased border on shirk (associating partners with God) and deviate from the tenets of Islam. "I support the firm yet respectful approach taken by Nurly Shahirah's family in handling this issue, as well as the efforts of the religious authorities in monitoring burial grounds. This is in line with the government's ongoing efforts to combat superstitious practices and strengthen the Islamic faith among Muslims in the country," he said. Meanwhile, the family has announced a temporary closure of their home to visitors from Wednesday, July 2, to Saturday, July 5, to allow time for rest. Her brother, Mohd Najmuddin, shared that their parents are emotionally and physically exhausted. 'Please give them space to recover. Your prayers and understanding mean the world to us,' he said. Her sister, Muni Azman, echoed the request, adding, 'Since her passing, our parents have not had a single moment's rest. There will be time for others to visit later, inshaAllah.' As the nation continues to mourn and reflect on the noble life and death of Nurly Sahirah, religious leaders urge the public to focus on meaningful remembrance — not ritualised actions that stray from Islamic doctrine.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Some UPSI crash victims only identifiable by clothing, says volunteer
KUALA LUMPUR: Some Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who perished in the Gerik bus crash on Monday were so badly injured that their remains could only be identified by their clothing, according to a volunteer who assisted in the post-tragedy response. Pertubuhan Amal Komuniti Besut chairman, Mohd Azizul Azli Mohd Sani, who led a convoy of 60 volunteers with hearses and ambulances from Besut, Terengganu, described the experience as one of the most heart-wrenching of his life. Azizul said the most unforgettable moment occurred at the Forensic Department of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) in Ipoh, during the identification and post-mortem process. "We left Besut at 10am on Monday and arrived in Ipoh around 4pm. "The area around the forensics department was packed with grieving next-of-kin. We witnessed some collapsing silently from overwhelming grief. "Most of the victims suffered severe injuries, and in some cases, families could only identify their loved ones through their clothing," he told Berita Harian. At around 1am on Monday, 15 UPSI students were killed in a crash involving the tour bus they were travelling in and a Perodua Alza along the East-West Highway (JRTB). The students were returning to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim from Jertih, Terengganu, after the Aidiladha holiday break. Azizul said some family members initially struggled to accept the loss and had to be comforted by police and counsellors before the identification process could begin. "Once they had calmed down, the identification started. I saw many relatives walk out of the forensics room in a daze, unable to speak. "It was as though the tragedy was too sudden to comprehend, but eventually, they came to terms with Allah's will," he said. He also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by members of the public, including non-Muslims, who provided food aid to his team during their time at the hospital. "Imagine, we had a convoy of 18 hearses and two ambulances travelling from Besut since 10am. We had only eaten some bread in the van and went without a proper meal until the evening, sleeping briefly in the hearse while waiting for the forensic process to conclude. "Unexpectedly, many people, including members of the Indian community, came to deliver food such as nasi kandar, nasi lemak, burgers and drinks around 6pm. "This tragedy marked the largest mass remains management exercise our organisation has handled since its founding in 2018. "We also helped transport injured victims and their families back to Terengganu after they were discharged from hospital, without charging any fees," he added.
The Star
09-06-2025
- The Star
19 hearses dispatched to Perak
JERTIH: Nineteen hearses were dispatched to Perak to transport the remains of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students killed in the tragic road accident near Tasik Banding, Gerik, early yesterday. Pertubuhan Amal Komuniti Besut (Amal Besut) chairman Mohd Azizul Azli Mohd Sani said six of the hearses were provided by the community charity organisation and one by Amal Setiu. 'The rest came from mosques in Besut, the Kuala Besut state assembly coordinator's office, and several NGOs in Pasir Puteh,' he told Bernama. Mohd Azizul Azli said 46 volunteers were involved in the convoy, including 16 individuals trained in Islamic funeral rites.
