PPS amenities improved for fardh, tarawih prayers

PONTIAN - Amneties at operational temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Batu Pahat will be improved by installing special tents for fardh and tarawih prayers.

State Islamic Religious Affairs exco Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the district kadi office will prepare an imam and bilal to lead the prayers.

"The efforts would provide comfort for those taking shelter at the PPS which the state government stressed should no longer be delayed especially in the month of Ramadan.

"I understand that the state government will prepare food for them to break their fast and sahur to make the victims who are unable to return home to feel happy," he said.

He said this during the official Hilal (crescent) Ramadan ceremony in Pontian, yesterday.

Also present were Johor Mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad, Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) director Jamaludin A Hamid, Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) chief executive officer Ismail Abu and Pontian District Officer Zainal Eran.

Fared said the weather continued to improve in Batu Pahat, however, victims were still unable to go home as the waters have yet to subside.

A total of 10 PPS will be involved in tarawih prayers due to water levels continuing to be high.

Fared said studies were being conducted by the State Economic Planning Unit to build an observatory.

He said the observatory was needed in the state to observe the Ramadan and Syawal new moon and become a reference material for students to observe astronomy as well as a space science centre.

"We are identifying the location however, it was suggested that Pontian become the district for the Johor observatory location.

"The suggestion is in its initial implementation stage of discussion with its expected completion set within at least a year," he said.