KUCHING: A total of 1,802kg of ash from materials and texts containing verses from the Holy Quran was released into the South China Sea off Kuching waters today (June 20).
Head of the Al-Quran Unit at the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), Abdul Rahim Rashid, said the exercise was carried out to preserve the sanctity of the holy book in accordance with Islamic law (syarak) and established fatwas.
He said Sarawak adopts its own method for disposing of such materials through the use of special environmentally friendly AQ-01 paper bags developed by JAIS, making it different from methods practised in other states.
“The total was collected through the sanctification process from four Al-Quran sanctification centres in Sarawak, namely the Al-Quran Sanctification Centre at SK Agama Majlis Islam Sarawak (MIS) Sibu; the Al-Quran Sanctification Centre at Masjid Al-Muttaqin Sarikei; Pusat Pemuliaan An Naim; and Masjid Ikhwanul Islam Taman Sukma here,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters at the Pending Ferry Terminal ahead of the Ceremony for the Release of Ashes from Quranic Materials and Texts.
Abdul Rahim said the method of releasing the ash into the sea using the special paper bags not only complies with Islamic requirements but also takes environmental preservation into account through the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly materials.
“In most other states, ash from materials and texts containing verses from the Holy Quran is usually released directly into the sea or frozen beforehand. However, in Sarawak, we chose a different approach by using this method.
“Normally, the ash is placed into special bags weighing about 8.5kg each. The bags will sink and fully decompose in less than four minutes, ensuring the disposal process is carried out in an orderly, respectful and environmentally friendly manner,” he added.
The ceremony, held for the first time on a large scale in southern Sarawak, was organised by JAIS in collaboration with strategic partners including the Sarawak Rivers Board, the Marine Police Force (PDRM) Region 5 Sarawak, the Sarawak Malaysian Marine Fisheries Department, the State Security and Enforcement Unit (Coastguard), the Sarawak Region Marine Department Malaysia and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) Sarawak Region.
In a related development, the four sanctification centres, which have been operating since 2016, continue to face capacity constraints in meeting the increasing demand for the sanctification process of materials and texts containing verses from the Holy Quran.
As such, he said MIS hopes more parties will take the initiative to establish sanctification centres throughout Sarawak to ensure the sanctity of the Quran continues to be preserved and upheld.
