Ramadhan Reflections – Illuminating Lives with UTP Alumni

As the crescent moon marked the arrival of Ramadhan, a quiet but powerful movement began to take shape — a season not just of fasting, but of giving, sharing, and remembering. With hearts united by faith and purpose, the UTP Alumni Association, in collaboration with the Alumni Relations Office, UTP, embarked on a meaningful journey of compassion across borders and communities.

This year’s Ramadhan brought not just light to homes, but warmth to hearts.

From the Shores of Sabah – Hope in Every Handed Meal

In the remote waters of Pulau Gaya, and in the serene courtyards of Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, help arrived not in the form of grand ceremonies, but in the quiet, respectful offering of food, supplies, and sincere prayers. On 16 and 17 March 2025, under the dedicated leadership of Kapt. Bersekutu (PA) Mohd Hakim Mohd Nor, Vice President II of the UTP Alumni Association, volunteers brought aid to multiple locations across Kota Kinabalu — including the JAHEAINS Office and Sekolah Rendah Islam.

There were no microphones or stages. Just alumni, humbled by the chance to give, and families, grateful for the gesture. Sometimes, the most beautiful stories are the ones told in silence — a smile, a nod, a whispered "terima kasih."

An Iftar to Remember – Kindness in Every Bite

Back at UTP, a group of alumni and PT&HSSE staff led by Pn Maria Teo turned compassion into action through a donation drive. They raised over RM14,000, enough to host an iftar at An Nur Mosque and gift duit raya to 40 Asnaf students.

That evening, the mosque was alive — not just with the call to prayer, but with joy, comfort, and community. The scent of shared meals filled the air, but what lingered most were the emotions — a reminder that giving isn’t about the amount, but the intention behind it.

Before the Sun Rises – Sahur with UTP Alumni

In the stillness before dawn on 21 March 2025, while most were just stirring from sleep, Cik Yon Norasyikin, a High Committee Member of the UTP Alumni Association, and her team were already moving. Armed with care packages and the support of kind donors, they delivered sahur meals to over 400 students in UTP, Seri Iskandar.

There was no fanfare — just quiet gratitude in the dim light, and the silent acknowledgement that no one in this family of alumni and students would go hungry that morning. Sometimes, the most powerful connections are felt not through words, but through actions.

Across the Sea – A Night of Unity in Jakarta

The journey of giving extended across borders to Masjid Istiqlal, Jakarta, where UTP alumni once again reached out to touch lives. Food for iftar was distributed, and aid was given to the less fortunate in surrounding areas. The initiative, again led by Kapt. Bersekutu (PA) Mohd Hakim Mohd Nor, was graced by notable figures including:

• T.Y.T Tun Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, President of DMDI
• H. Sultan Najamudin, Chairman of the Indonesian Senate
• Dito Ariotedjo, Minister of Youth & Sports, Indonesia
• Datuk Said Aidi Al Idrus, Chairman of DMDI Indonesia

In a hall that echoed with prayer and purpose, people of all walks of life came together, proving that kindness travels further when it crosses oceans and touches the human spirit.

A Light That Lasts Beyond Ramadhan

This Ramadhan, the UTP alumni community did more than organize events — they built bridges. Between the privileged and the struggling, the familiar and the far-flung, the giver and the receiver. Each act, no matter how small, was a candle lit in someone’s darkness.

As the holy month fades into memory, the warmth it brought remains. Because when UTP alumni come together, they don’t just share memories — they create new ones, woven with empathy, generosity, and love.

This is more than tradition. This is legacy.