“My health is getting better every day since I started doing charity work,” said Wan Huzaimi Wan Azami, who was told he may have cancer two years ago.
According to the 38-year-old, after finding out that he was ill, his mother advised him to do charity work, open a madrasah and give alms.
Since then, he has not stopped doing charity work, helping those in need and at the same time, preaching to those who lack religious exposure.
Having the opportunity to meet Wan Huzaimi, dubbed the Sarawak Ebit Lew, is a wonderful feeling as he is a person who is very committed in doing charity work, having little time for himself.
In a short period (about two years), he was also able to build a madrasah and several other Muslim community centres, which aimed to provide free religious education in the rural areas across the state.
“In fact, 98 percent of students at Madrasah Darul Uloom Islamiyyah which I founded in Kampung Melayu, Lubok Antu in 2019, consist of Muslim converts.
“Despite its name Kampung Melayu, it is an Iban village. Almost all residents are Muslims due to intermarriage.
“It can be said that out of 76 houses in the village, only about 10 houses are Muslim natives.
“When they first moved to this village, the residents did study religion but due to lack of facilities and exposure, including teachers, they were left behind (in terms of religious education).
“In this village, they do not have Taska Abim (Islamic kindergarten). Therefore, Kampung Melayu Islamic Welfare Committee and I take the initiative to build this madrasah.
“There is a building owned by the Lubok Antu Islamic Welfare Trust Board that can be used for free for this purpose,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
So far, the madrasah has about 80 students of which 60 are children and the rest, adults. It also has five instructors, who are from Kuching and Malaya.
He said adults and children would be placed in different classrooms to prevent some adults from feeling embarrassed.
“Alhamdulillah, the response is very encouraging. Here, we teach according to the standard syllabus of madrasahs in this country which starts with basic knowledge such as ‘akidah’.
“This school is not only for the residents of Kampung Melayu. We also accept anyone who wants to learn religious studies for free in addition to providing food and clothing,” he said, adding that he would allocate around RM5,000 a month for the madrasah.
However, he said due to the limited space, a new madrasah is currently being built in front of his own house, and is expected to be completed next year.
According to him, the construction of the new madrasah, which cost around RM150,000, with him using his own money and donations from friends and generous individuals.
He said committee members had also opened a bank account to raise funds.
“So far, construction is about 30 percent complete. Upon completion, it will have a dormitory to accommodate 10 male students, and it can also accommodate 60 students at a time.
“We plan to open two sessions, morning and evening. We also do not limit the age,” he said, adding that during the implementation of the movement control order (MCO), classes were held online.
When asked about his experience teaching Muslim converts, Wan Huzaimi said it was the same as teaching young children because everything started from the basics.
“Mispronunciation is common, we will teach the obligatory and basic things first.
“So far, many are already good at praying on their own and even covering their ‘aurat’ well.
“We have also set up Islamic community centres and surau in several areas in Kapit, Betong, Miri and other places for converts and those who want to learn Islam.
“I have been to many places, most of whom we help are those who are poor and helped by Hikmah Sarawak.”
When asked about his own background, Wan Huzaimi, from Kuching, said he moved to Kampung Melayu together with his wife’s family, who came from Sri Aman, a few years ago.
There, he started selling burgers and economy rice to cover his living expenses and charity work.
“I’m not from a wealthy family, but my high determination to do charity work and help needy people makes me stronger every day.
“I am also an orphan and used to be homeless. In addition, I was also a student at a ‘sekolah pondok’ (traditional religious school) in Malaya for three years. All these experiences matured me.”
According to him, there was one time, he only had RM200 and at that time, he needed to help someone to buy a prosthetic leg.
“I believe everything has been arranged and determined by Allah as long as our intentions are sincere,” he said, adding that apart from having a family that understands and supports all his efforts, he also has a good friend, Alwi Morshidi, who is always helpful and sacrificing his time to make all the charity work a success.
For those who are also involved in doing charity work, Wan Huzaimi advised them to always be committed and not give up.
According to him, people’s acceptance and views are different – some support and some dispute the efforts made.
“What is important, they must always be sincere in doing their work and insyaAllah, God will make everything easier.”
Previously, Bahasa Malaysia daily Suara Sarawak published an article on Wan Huzaimi’s efforts to travel around Sarawak with his free ‘van jenazah’ (funeral service) through the Grab Jenazah initiative.
