Alhamdulillah, on 7 March 2026, the Dawah Academy International Hall in Wangsa Maju felt less like a venue and more like a family home. Proudly sponsored by Bank Muamalat, Interactive Dakwah and Tarbiyah (IDT) hosted a special Iftar with Mualaf session that brought together 17 new Muslims and one non-Muslim to experience the true spirit of Ramadan.
Meaningful Reminders and Breaking Fast
The program began at 6:30 PM with an intimate sharing session by Dr. Jefri Irwan Harris. Rather than a formal lecture, Dr. Jefri offered simple, heartfelt reminders that set a peaceful tone for the night. It was a chance for everyone to ground themselves and reflect before the sunset.
When the Azan finally rang out, the room filled with the shared joy of breaking fast. There is something incredibly moving about that first sip of water and the exchange of smiles across the table. In those moments, the diverse backgrounds of our 18 guests didn’t matter. We were simply one community sharing a meal and a blessing.
Building Confidence through Prayer and Learning
The connection continued well after the meal. Following the Maghrib prayer, Dr. Jefri held another sharing session in the surau while we waited for Isyak. This provided a calm, open space for our guests to ask questions and receive guidance on navigating their new faith.
For the Tarawih prayers, we were honored to have the session led by IDT’s Education and Research Manager, Ustaz Mohd Abdullah. Having a familiar face lead the congregation made the prayer feel personal and grounded, allowing everyone to participate with ease and focus.
Real Support through the Being Compassionate Project
Ramadan is a month of giving, and we wanted to ensure that the spirit of generosity translated into real action. Through our Being Compassionate Project (BCP), in collaboration with IDWA, we distributed food packs to eligible new Muslims.
Each pack contained daily essentials such as rice, cooking oil, and eggs. Seeing the relief and happiness on the faces of the recipients was a powerful reminder of our responsibility toward one another. These packs are more than just groceries; they are a message to our mualaf community that they are supported and cared for.
A Stronger Sense of Belonging
The highlight of the evening was seeing the interactions between first-time participants and returning regulars. One guest shared that they finally felt like they had a place within the Muslim community, which is the ultimate goal of these gatherings.
A huge shoutout to our donors for supporting the BCP food packs and making sure no one went home empty-handed. We also want to say a big thank you to all the reverts who joined us. Your presence and your stories are what made the night so special. We look forward to many more nights like this.
Iftar with Muallaf at IDT Pulau Pinang: Breaking Fast, Building Bonds
Alhamdulillah, the Iftar with Muallaf 2026 program at IDT Pulau Pinang was held on 14 March 2026, starting from 6:30 PM, in a warm and meaningful atmosphere. A total of 34 participants attended, brought together brothers and sisters from different backgrounds, races, and even religions, creating a moment of unity and mutual understanding.
Honouring Our Muallaf Brothers and Sisters
This special iftar was organised to honour and support our muallaf brothers and sisters, giving them the opportunity to experience the spirit of Ramadan together with the wider community. It was encouraging to see everyone seated together, sharing food, conversations, and companionship.
A Simple Yet Special Iftar Meal
The iftar meal itself was simple yet special. Many of the dishes were brought by guests who attended, turning the gathering into a humble but meaningful potluck. While the food nourished the body after a long day of fasting, the gathering also served to nourish the soul.
Spiritual Reminder Before Breaking Fast
Before breaking the fast, Ustaz Hisyam Mohd Radzi delivered a brief reminder. Reflecting on lessons from Surah Al-Anbiya’, he spoke about the trials and tests faced by the prophets. His message reminded those present to remain patient, steadfast, and obedient to Allah in facing life’s challenges, with the hope of being among those gathered with the prophets in the hereafter.
Ramadan: Strengthening Bonds and Faith
Gatherings like this show that Ramadan is not only about fasting, but also about strengthening brotherhood, nurturing faith, and supporting one another on the journey of Islam—especially for those who are new to the faith. As the last ten nights of Ramadan approach, we pray that these blessed nights continue to illuminate the hearts of those seeking closeness to Allah, and that we may all be granted the blessing of witnessing Laylatul Qadr.
As part of the initiative, zakat was distributed to 10 muallaf during the gathering. We hope this support will ease their financial burdens, even if just a little, and help them continue their journey as new Muslims, focusing on learning and practising Islam with greater confidence.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this gathering possible. May Allah accept these efforts and allow more opportunities for gatherings of goodness in the future. Ameen.
