KUALA LUMPUR: The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, through its Religious Attache Department, has once again sponsored iftar (breaking of fast) meals for students and academic staff at six public universities in Malaysia.

       The Iftar of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques (Iftarkhs) programme, held in conjunction with Ramadan, started with an iftar ceremony at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, followed by Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam, Selangor, and the International Islamic University in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, reported Bernama.

       The embassy also sponsored the Prime Minister’s iftar ceremony, organised by the Universiti Malaya’s Academy of Islamic Studies (Apium) on Wednesday night, which was attended by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

       Also present at the opening ceremony were Saudi Arabian ambassador to Malaysia Mahmoud Hussien Saeed Qattan, Religious Attache of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Rubaian and Apium director Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Fauzi Hamat.

       Mahmoud Hussien, in his speech, said the embassy, in collaboration with various government agencies and private entities, aimed to distribute 15,000 packs of iftar food during the month of Ramadan. In addition, the embassy has allocated 57,000 tonnes of dates to be distributed to Muslims in Malaysia this year, starting with the Iftarkhs programme.

       The embassy also aims to distribute 46,680 manuscripts of the Quran, especially those with Bahasa Malaysia translations.

       The Iftarkhs programme will also be held at several other public universities, including Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

       The closing ceremony will be held at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin mosque in Putrajaya on April 28.