Raudhatus Sakinah....the shelter

This is a shelter for young girls...those who suddenly found themselves too young to be a mother, without legal bonding with a man whom they may call husbands through the laws of shariah. Yes! These girls and their babies need to be saved. They need to be rehabilitated rather than shunned by the society. What is to become of them if nothing is done? We need to prevent them from throwing away their innocent babies at public places; into the roadside bins, to be left at the mercy of stray animals…very heart wrenching... The parents of these young girls must sign an agreement to allow at least a year for their girls to adhere to a strict program. In so doing, their daughters may be enlightened and brought back to the right path, Insha Allah…

This institution too provides the necessary support i.e. emotional support, guidance and education for its occupants. They are all young Muslim girls, aged in the range between 14 until the early twenties. All of them would be given sound exposure to spiritual awareness and are exposed to basic skills as provision when they get back into the society. Their babies would be given up for adoption by families strictly screened to possess strong religious background. The girls too need to be assisted, their self esteem need to be restored, so too their knowledge on clean, safe and healthy lifestyle when they venture back into normal day to day life and to be of benefit to others. RS is an effort to care for the state of welfare and the well-being of society and the ummah in combating social ills, rampant in our society.

The whole idea of setting up such a centre was mooted by Associate Professor Dr. Harlina Halizah Hj. Siraj, the Chief of Women’s Wing Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM). Raudhatus Sakinah (RS) was registered under the Ordinance of Care Centres (1993), the Department of Social Welfare. Dr. Har, as she is fondly called, became the chairman of RS and its affiliates throughout Malaysia. The one situated on mainland Penang is the third centre after the main one which is situated at Sungai Buloh (inaugurated officially in August 1998, under the care of UmiRoses) while another was set up at Kota Baru, Kelantan. The forthcoming one will be in Johor. As is the norm, centres such as these need substantial amount of fundings to run, most of which are through sincere donations and pledges from individuals and groups. This is part and parcel of the challenges facing institutions run by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as JIM. It can be very hard….

As a stark contrast to other institutions such as kindergartens for example, the setting up and the mushrooming of RS everywhere is something that is not to be proud of. RS sprouting here and there is an indication of the dire state of affairs of the social decadence prevalent in our society. The alarm is ringing and it is ringing badly too! There must be some form of measures to curb the permissiveness of sexual attitudes amongst our younger Muslim generation.

The central committee of JIM and its Women’s Wing, together with its branches at the various states and districts have been actively involved in numerous campaigns and programmes. These activities include educating the society specifically through intensive one-day programmes for boys and girls at secondary schools such as “I Am Smart! I Avoid Fornication!” The approach is modified with the theme “You Be Smart! Avoid Fornication!” usually reaching out to the public and are stationed at shopping malls in the city centres.

While driving back from my fortnightly meets, my mind would play back the minutes that were spent with the girls. Flashes of childlike faces in their teens, slightly built shoulders, hunched over newborn babies cradled on thin laps. The looks on the faces belied the turmoil in their hearts…imagine having to part with their small ‘bundles of joy’. My heart reached out to them. For I too have a young daughter who is already a mum herself. But then, she is being loved and loves the man of her life, is constantly being surrounded by the squeals of young ones and affectionate people, parents-in-laws and sibling-in-laws. Isn’t that the dream of every young girl? Obviously, every young girl's dream does not include spending time as an occupant of a place such as Rhaudatus Sakinah!

“Oh Allah! Guide them (the girls) all at RS and open up their hearts so they may each repent and be able to carry out a new life. Please protect us, our children and our children’s children from the calamities and fitnah besieging Muslims of our times…Amin..”

All of a sudden, I remember the face of my sweet, little Nuha Insyirah…the apple of our (my husband whom she affectionately calls 'Tok Wan' and I, "Neena") eyes…It has been more than three weeks since we last saw her…..I am really looking forward to meeting her this weekend, Insha Allah!