Non-Muslim staff perform fasting to support CIMB Islamic’s Puasa-thon

11 June 2018

Staff’s one-day fast during Ramadhan contributes to charity and celebrates Group’s embracing of diversity and inter-faith understanding

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (“CIMB Islamic”) today hosted its third annual Puasa-thon, attracting more than 100 non-Muslim staff to fast for one day, and then break their fast together with 60 orphans, differently-abled kids and Chinese seniors from an old folks’ home.  Apart from fostering greater inter-faith understanding, it also inculcates the spirit of giving through the charity feature, whereby RM100 is donated to charity on behalf of each non-Muslim staff who fast.  

Speaking at the event, Rafe Haneef, CEO, Group Islamic Banking, CIMB Group commented, “CIMB Islamic is proud to once again host Puasa-thon, and each year, I am heartened to see our non-Muslim colleagues’ enthusiastic reception to it. Fasting is practised by most religions due to its proven health and spiritual benefits, but it brings greater meaning when people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds fast together during the holy month of Ramadhan. This gesture reflects CIMB’s values on embracing and supporting our 36,000-strong multicultural and multinational workforce across ASEAN”.

The non-Muslim co-sponsor for this year’s Puasa-thon is Ramesh Narayanaswamy, Group Chief Technology & Operations Officer, CIMB Group, who also fast for the day. When asked on his experience, he said, “As a Hindu, we also perform fasting regularly. But I’ve never fast together with Muslim colleagues until I joined CIMB. Apart from being a wonderful bonding opportunity for us, the charitable feature of CIMB Puasa-thon also invites us to reflect deeply on those less fortunate.“  

For every CIMB staff who participated and successfully completed their fast today, CIMB Islamic will donate RM100 to selected orphanages, old folks’ homes, as well as homes for the differently-abled. Non-Muslim staff were guided on how to fast, and on the do’s and don’ts when observing a fast. The event culminated in an iftar dinner for all participants at Menara Bumiputra Commerce in Kuala Lumpur.