Kelantan Indian Muslim Association guides over 50 mualaf since 2023

The Kelantan Indian Muslim Association (PMIK) has reportedly guided more than 50 Indian Muslim converts– or also known as mualaf – and deepened their understanding of Islamic teachings since 2023.

Its chairman, Mohamed Sultan Oli Mohamed said, Kelantan is frequently chosen as a destination for converts to strengthen their understanding of Islam due to its more conducive environment, aside from it being welcoming, community-oriented and perceived as safer. 

“A majority of these mualaf come from outside Kelantan, including Johor and the Klang Valley, and relocate here to start a new life as Muslims.

Chairman of the Kelantan Indian Muslim Association (PMIK), Mohamed Sultan Oli Mohamed. (photo credit: Facebook PMIK)

“Most of them arrive without family support, and some are even forced to leave their original places of residence after embracing Islam, resulting in an urgent need for assistance, including accommodation, food, welfare support and religious guidance,” he said, as reported by Bernama.

He elaborated, PMIK also provides mualaf with temporary accommodation in certain cases, supplies them food and daily necessities, assists in securing employment as well as helps cover house rental deposits until they achieve stability and independence. 

The association’s approach, according to Mohamed, focuses on offering continuous support that enables mualaf to build independence and self-confidence needed to live as Muslims, thus extending PMIK’s assistance beyond initial stages of conversion. 

“In addition, we also assist the poor and needy regardless of race, including Malays and Chinese, particularly in emergency situations such as health issues, support for children’s education and disasters, including floods.

One such initiative championed by the organisation was the self-service vending machine program for the Kelantanese Indian community in 2024. (photo credit: Facebook PMIK)

“We currently have 250 registered members and are actively involved in various programmes. The association requires annual operating costs of about RM70,000, which are fully funded through corporate contributions and public donations, as well as support from the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) and the state government, without any fixed allocation,” he said.

Mohamed said, the funds received are channeled towards the welfare of mualaf, emergency assistance, temporary accommodation, food supplies, travel expenses, religious education and basic support to help them begin a new life.

“I hope more parties, including corporate organisations, zakat institutions and the public, will come forward to contribute donations to ensure that PMIK can continue to play its role as an important support centre for the mualaf and the needy in the state,” he said.