Pertiwi Soup Kitchen founder, Munirah Abdul Hamid passes away

KUALA LUMPUR: The founder of Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam Malaysia (Pertiwi) Soup Kitchen and human rights activist, Datuk Munirah Abdul Hamid, passed away early this morning.

The news of her death was confirmed by her family on her Facebook page.

"It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce that our beloved, Hajjah Datuk Munirah Abdul Hamid, has returned to the Rahmatullah at 4am on Sept 4, 2023, which corresponds to 18 Safar 1445, at her residence in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur," they said.

However, the cause of the 70-year-old's death is still unknown.

The body will be prepared for Islamic funeral rites at the Bangsar Mosque at 10am, followed by funeral prayers and burial at the Bukit Kiara Cemetery.

Munirah got the idea to establish the Pertiwi Soup Kitchen from a friend who was seriously ill around 2009.

Every week, Munirah hit the streets to provide food and care for around 800 homeless individuals and those in need.

When Covid-19 struck around 2019 to 2021, Munirah continued to think of the homeless community and was inspired to continue the soup kitchen by taking over the kitchen of a restaurant that had not yet resumed operations.