By Shaheerah Dzaki
GOMBAK, 23 March 2024: In her inspiring speech, the former Senator of the National Assembly, Datuk Dr. Ras Adiba Radzi revealed that the word ˜impossible only exists to someone who does not want to change and do something with their lives during the forum session of Iftar Cakna OKU on 20 March 2024.
The heartwarming Iftar Cakna OKU event took place at Wadi Budi, IIUM. The theme of the event was empowerment and inclusivity. The main guest of the evening is Datuk Dr Ras Adiba Radzi, along with an unexpected and not to mention, highly esteemed guest, the Minister of Higher Education, Senator Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Before the event started, it began with a moving opening remark from the Assistant Programme Manager of Ramadan Festival 2.0, Talal Al-Humsi. The event continued with a speech by the Deputy Rector of Student Development and Community Engagement (OSDCE), Prof. Dr. Akmal Khuzairy bin Abd. Rahman.
The evening carried on to the highlight of the event which was the forum session with Datuk Dr. Ras Adiba Radzi.
œWe are here today because we would like to share with everyone here including the able bodied, about us, she stated.
Moreover, she clarified that what makes people disabled is because of peoples perception of people with disabilities and the surrounding infrastructure.
Datuk Dr. Ras Adiba Radzi strongly advocated for persons with disabilities to get up, dress up and show up.
œIf we do not come up, people will ignore us. People do not care about the facilities. People do not care about what we need, she further explained.
She also conveyed that all of the attendees of the event have one mission which is to make sure no one is left behind, everyone should be there to lift each other up, no matter if they are disabled or able bodied.
On top of that, Datuk Dr. Ras Adiba Radzi also highly endorsed for parents to register their children with disabilities and even persons with disabilities who have not registered yet to register themselves to get an OKU card.
When asked if she had any word of encouragement, she encouraged everyone in the hall, no matter if they have a disability or not, to appreciate themselves.
œLove and appreciate yourself but most of all, always say your thanks to the God Almighty, Datuk Dr. Ras Adiba Radzi advised.
Last but not least, the event further continued with a speech by Senator Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education, highlighting issues and suggestions on improving OKU concerns.
The participants did not only came from the IIUM but also other universities such as Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS).
The event was organised by the IIUM Ibnu Ummi Maktum Club (I-MaC), in collaboration with Disability Services Unit (DSU) and in conjunction with Ramadan Festival 2.0 that is organised by the IIUM Student Union. ***