March 12, 2026
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Each passing day during the holy month of Ramadhan carries with it quiet invitations to reflect, give and reconnect with the people around us. It is a time when the rhythm of daily life seems to soften, making space for compassion, generosity and the strengthening of community bonds.
From the distribution of zakat and wakaf, which helps provide financial support to those in need, to simple but meaningful gestures such as sharing sungkai meals with orphans and vulnerable families, acts of charity take on a deeper significance during this sacred month.
Ramadhan gently reminds Muslims that giving is not only about material support, but about nurturing empathy and kindness.
In these moments of generosity, compassion is practised as intentionally as prayer, and the collective spirit of care within the community seems to grow stronger with every passing evening.
One such initiative can be seen at the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Kuala Belait Library, as they hosted their annual ‘Charity Campaign: Raya Clothings For All’.
While many charitable activities focused more on the essential expenses, such as food and monetary support, clothing, especially the festive kinds, is a basic necessity that is sometimes overlooked.
This was one of the highlights of the campaign as the library’s Assistant Librarian Level 2, Norlizarahmawati binti Haji Abdul Rahman, explained that the Charity Campaign is an annual initiative organised by the library for the past four years.
“We first began the (Charity Campaign) programme back in 2022, and it is open to everyone. From the pre-loved clothes that people are planning to throw away, we would collect them several days before the start of the programme, which we distribute to anyone looking for festive attire to wear, regardless of background or culture.”
She explained that the clothes collected included various types, from traditional festive attire to modern and sleek shirts and pants, contributed not only by members of the public from the Belait District, but also from across the nation.
The collected pieces of clothing are sorted according to their sizes and types of clothing, which are laid out for the visiting recipients to choose from, as they pick and create their preferred outfit for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
“We invite those who are looking for new festive clothes to visit during this period so that they can not only pick the clothes that fit them, but also mix and match their clothing options so that they can have a variety of outfits to wear over the course of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.”
In organising the programme, she also highlighted how it helps raise awareness on the importance of giving back, sharing, and conducting charitable acts, especially during the holy month of Ramadhan, as the joy and happiness created from the sharing of pre-loved clothes benefits the community.
Giving pre-loved clothing still in good condition offers more than simple material relief. It restores a quiet sense of dignity and belonging, allowing individuals and families to take part fully in the communal celebrations that define the spirit of Ramadhan.
A garment once tucked away in a wardrobe or set aside for disposal can find a new home and a renewed purpose.
In another household, that same piece of clothing may become part of a family’s cherished Hari Raya memories.
Reflecting on previous editions of the initiative, Norlizarahmawati shared that this year’s Charity Campaign was met with an especially enthusiastic response.
“This year’s campaign was very well received.
“We received a remarkable amount of used festive clothing from members of the public, so much so that we eventually had to decline some donations because we simply had more than we could manage.”
Open to the public regardless of race, culture or background, the campaign welcomed visitors of all ages.
Children arrived with their families, while adults browsed the neatly arranged selections, each person searching for something that suited them.
In the spirit of Ramadhan, the simple act of choosing a festive outfit became part of a wider gesture of giving, sharing and caring within the community. She hopes that the campaign not only helps spread the act of love and joy of having festive clothing to wear during the Hari Raya celebrations, but also inspires others to give back through other charitable acts.
Acts of kindness do not always require significant financial resources. As the campaign shows, even something as simple as donating items that are no longer needed can play a meaningful role in nurturing the culture of care that defines Ramadhan. Small gestures, when shared with sincere intention, can ripple through a community and bring comfort and joy to others.
“I would hope that the campaign would aid those who are struggling to find their new festive clothing, as it would help lessen their burdens in celebrating the Hari Raya free from worries and stress that they face.”
Ultimately, Charity Campaigns such as this serve as a reminder that a united community lies not in its prosperity and growth but in its willingness to help each other out, with each pre-loved clothing item that is being picked carries with it the intention and belief that what is no longer needed can become someone else’s source of joy.