KUCHING: The state government has allocated a grant of RM350,000 to Kuching Vocational College for building its Surau Al-Azhar.
The grant was approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and the cheque was presented by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at his office in Wisma Sumber Alam to the college’s director Aini Suhaili on Friday.
The college is the only branch in the country which does not have a surau despite having almost 300 Muslim students and staff members.
“The students and staff are currently using a classroom which has been modified to enable them to perform prayers,” said Aini when met after the simple handover ceremony.
She mentioned that they had no fund for building the surau so they asked Awang Tengah for assistance when he attended the college’s excellent students award ceremony last year.
“We were delighted and at a loss for words when we received a phone call last Thursday (June 11) telling us to get the cheque.
“On behalf of the college, I thank Datuk Amar Awang Tengah and the state government for helping us to build our very own Surau Al-Azhar,” she said.
The idea to build the surau was initiated by the college’s former principal Johara Zen, in 2006. The surau will be able accommodate about 300 worshippers.
