Named in honour of his mother, this is Syed Mokhtar's waqf (Islamic Endowment) to the less fortunate of the world. Sprawled over a 30.35 hectare site (75 acres) in Alor Setar, it is founded on the philosophy of equal opportunity - upholding the right of the poor to quality education, quality healthcare, and quality living.
The centre has three components:
i. Public Facilities for the local community
ii. Welfare Facilities for the under-privileged
iii. Albukhary International University - a non-profit university for Albukhary scholars
Pusat Ilmu Sharifah Rokiah is built, operated and maintained by the Albukhary Foundation.
Albukhary Mosque
A prominent Alor Setar landmark, the 10,000 capacity mosque serves the local community.
Albukhary Hospital and Dialysis Centre
This full-fledged hospital provides free medical treatment for the poor, regardless of race or religion. Its dialysis centre, reportedly the largest dialysis facility funded by a private charity, has 36 dialysis machines and a treatment room.
Albukhary Hostel
Adjoining the hospital, this facility caters primarily for families of hospitalized patients. The 3-star equivalent property provides a choice of accommodation to suit different budgets from self-contained apartment units to twin share rooms and dormitory-style accommodation.
Community Education Centre
This centre provides religious education and skills training for single mothers and other segments of the poor.
Souq Albukhary
This mall has introduced several chain stores to Kedah; and it attracts shoppers from as far away as the Malaysian-Thailand border.
Albukhary Orphanage
The orphanage houses 50 children between the ages of 5 and 17. They attend national schools, and tuition classes are conducted on the grounds so they perform well in school.
Centre for Children with Special Needs
This centre houses children with physical disabilities. It is located near the orphanage, so the able-bodied can help care for their disabled peers.
Albukhary International University
This is a non-profit private international university exclusively for Albukhary scholars. Its hallmark is its diversity; it is built to cater for up to 3,000 students from around the world. About 70% to 80% of the student population is targeted to come from Muslim minority countries, the great majority of whom will be Muslims while the rest are Malaysians, both Muslims and non- Muslims. The university is not an Islamic University but an International University in all senses of the term.
The university will offer courses that have a strong impact on nation- building in the Third World and Least Developed Countries, the origin of most Albukhary scholars.
The university campus is now ready, and is expected to receive its first intake in January 2011.