By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd Azhari
Photo: Noor Azreen Awang
SERDANG, March 23 - Concerned with the earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria last February, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) channelled financial aid amounting to RM32,768.37 to Türkiye and Syria, in conjunction with the first day of fasting involving the Muslim community here today.
UPM Vice Chancellor, Dato' Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, said that the donation made by UPM staff and students was contributed through the UPM Prihatin @WAZAN Fund that took place from 8 until 28 February 2023.
He expressed his sympathies for the tragedy as the death toll had surpassed 47,000, and the damage to the infrastructure amounted to billions of ringgits.
"After the earthquake struck, daily reports of the number of deaths continued to increase, including reports on the destruction of cities in the affected areas. I thank all UPM citizens and donors who had generously contributed through the Centre for Management of Waqf, Zakat and Endowment (WAZAN).
"I hope this donation can ease the burden of the victims, including Syrian refugees living in Gaziantep and Ekinozu, Türkiye, and we will continue to maintain a good relationship with Türkiye and Syria," he said.
He also expressed his hope that Malaysians and UPM citizens continue to pray so there would be no more severe earthquakes in the future.
The financial aid was handed over by Dato' Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan to the Turkish Ambassador, His Excellency Emir Salim Yuksel, in the Guest Room of the Office of Vice Chancellor, located at the Bangunan Canselori Putra, UPM. -UPM
