AMPANG, Mar 14 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) International Kuala Lumpur reinforced its commitment to humanitarian efforts through the successful organization of the “Ramadan Outreach: Spreading Solidarity, Strengthening Humanity for Palestine” program, held on 14 March 2026 at Libyan Damai Expatriate School, Ampang.

The program forms part of the university’s community service initiatives aimed at supporting the Palestinian community residing in the Kuala Lumpur area, particularly those facing challenges due to prolonged conflict in their homeland. The initiative reflects UTM International’s dedication to fostering empathy, strengthening solidarity, and promoting social responsibility among university members.

The program was implemented through strategic collaboration between UTM International Kuala Lumpur, The General Union of Palestinian Students, Malaysia Branch (GUPS-MY), The Palestine Community in Malaysia, Libyan Damai Expatriate School, and Tayib Mart. Through this cooperation, 30 Palestinian families were identified as recipients of essential goods to help alleviate their daily living expenses during Ramadan.

Ammar Hatem, Chairman of GUPS-MY, played a pivotal role in coordinating the Palestinian community in the Ampang area to ensure aid reached those most in need. Additionally, Emad, who serves as Deputy of the Palestinian Community in Malaysia and as a teacher at Libyan Damai Expatriate School, contributed by coordinating the community and facilitating the program’s venue arrangements.

The donation ceremony was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nur Azaliah Abu Bakar, Associate Director of UTM International Kuala Lumpur. In her address, Dr. Nur Azaliah expressed her sincere appreciation to all parties involved, particularly GUPS-MY for their cooperation and Tayib Mart for supporting the program through discounted donations. She emphasized that Ramadan provides an ideal platform to strengthen togetherness, compassion, and the spirit of helping those in need, highlighting that UTM members actively give back to the community as part of the university’s social responsibility.

In addition to the donation distribution, the program focused on children’s development through interactive educational activities facilitated entirely by international student volunteers. Forty Palestinian children participated in English language and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities. Through this engagement, students not only shared their knowledge and skills but also demonstrated their commitment to giving back to the community while supporting the growth of the younger generation.

These activities successfully created a conducive and interactive learning environment, enhancing the children’s confidence and interest in language and science. A standout activity was building structures using spaghetti and marshmallows, which captured the children’s enthusiasm.

The program received positive feedback from community representatives. Ammar Hatem highlighted the significant impact of such initiatives on the Palestinian community in Malaysia and the potential for continued collaboration in the future:

“We are deeply grateful to UTM, especially for implementing this meaningful initiative. Programs like this have a tremendous impact on our community, and we hope for more meaningful collaborations in the future.”

Emad also praised the program, “The initiative organized by UTM is excellent and impactful. The families who participated were very happy and appreciative of UTM’s support.”

Recipients expressed their gratitude for the university’s assistance. “I am very happy to participate in this program and feel fortunate to receive the support. This aid greatly benefits Palestinian families here. I pray that Allah blesses all contributors,” said Hanan Alkbeia, one of the participants from the Palestinian community.

“I am grateful and would like to thank UTM for supporting Palestinian families in need. Initiatives like this are truly meaningful for us,” added Nasr Nzer Frhat, also a participant from the Palestinian community.

Overall, the Ramadan Outreach: Spreading Solidarity, Strengthening Humanity for Palestine program not only served as a platform to deliver aid but also strengthened cooperation and humanitarian solidarity across borders, cultures, and communities. The program underscores the vital role of UTM members in giving back to the community, in line with the university’s commitment to advancing social responsibility and volunteerism. It also symbolises the bond of brotherhood among Muslims in extending both help and compassion, serving as a reminder that, despite being far from their homeland, they are not alone in facing these hardships.

UTM International Kuala Lumpur remains committed to enhancing community service initiatives and volunteerism as part of its social responsibility, while supporting global humanitarian efforts. The university also expresses its highest appreciation to all volunteers who contributed to the success of the program, from planning to implementation.