KUALA LUMPUR: Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru will distribute more than 3,000 packets of its famous 'bubur lambuk' for the poor, homeless, and even non-Muslims for this upcoming Ramadan month.
With 22 helpers involved in cooking and packing, the mosque committee members will prepare 15 pots of the savoury rice porridge beginning this Thursday from 7am to 10am, and distribute it for the public to enjoy.
The mosque's manager Mohamlin Haji Isman said they will set up three tents at the side of the mosque for passers-by to queue and pick up their bubur lambuk after the Asar prayers at 5pm every day for the whole month.
"The porridge is for everyone! Excluding the Hindus, (because) we use beef in our porridge. But even the Chinese and tourists have lined up for our bubur lambuk in previous years.
"One packet can be enjoyed by two to three people, so we will distribute one packet per family for those who come," Mohamlin said, adding that there will be three lanes at the tent in front of Wisma Akar, including a special lane for women.
Meanwhile, the mosque's treasurer, Hairmanshah Datuk Idris said the Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru packets have a 'Bubur Lambuk Agong' stamp to prevent others from reselling their porridge.
Despite the ongoing programmes planned by the mosque, Hairmanshah lamented that the current state of the economy had reduced the number of sponsorships compared to last year.
"We have a lot of programmes but the payments always come a little late," he said.
He said they previously had sponsors for items such as rice, cooking oil, and many more, but now they depend on contributions from mosque goers and the mosque's Ihya Ramadhan fund.
"Since the price of goods has increased, the cost of the bubur lambuk has gone up from RM750 to RM850 per pot," he added.
For this year's Ramadan, the mosque committee hopes the public can donate to the mosque so that their programmes can run smoothly.