USM JAZZ BAND CONTRIBUTES RM15,000 FOR PALESTINE EDUCATION FUND

PENANG, 7 Dec. 2012 – In a show of care and being sensitive to the latest Palestinian plight, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Jazz Band along with the campus community contributed RM15,000 funds to be channeled to the Palestine Education Fund which was launched by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman here recently.

Omar said the contribution showed how much the campus community, including those from cultural arts, cared to help the people of Gaza and it is encouraging.

He added that the university is proud of its community being sensitive to the sufferings of the Palestinians and the willingness to contribute funds to ease the suffering of the people in Gaza, thus realising the mission of the university to benefit the global community.

“We will continue to raise funds for this effort and hope that more would come forward to contribute to the importance of knowledge and well-being of society regardless of race or creed,” he said.

In the meantime, USM Dewan Budaya director, Assoc. Prof. Mohamad Omar Bidin said that funds amounting to RM15,000 for the Palestine Education Fund were proceeds raised through ticket sales from Jazz Band concert held recently.

He said the Jazz Band group members were moved by the war that took many lives, especially children and women in Palestine, and agreed to help by contributing to lessen their burden.

“The launch of Palestine Education Fund is a step in caring shown by the campus and the USM Jazz Band members felt it was a great opportunity for them to jointly contribute,” he said. - Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias / Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa / Translation: Yong Check Yoon