East Java businessman Syaikhon Fikri will not hand out cash alms this Ramadan after his annual charity event last year caused a stampede that led to the death of 21 women, Antara news agency has reported.
Gus Mujib, a spokesman for the Syaikhon family, said Saturday that the family had decided not to distribute cash alms this year considering last year’s disaster.
The family would still be offering alms, however , but through foundations, he said.
A banner out the front of the Syaikhon home in Pasuruan on Saturday read, “Attention: We will not be dis-tributing cash alms anymore starting...Sept. 5, 2009.”
Despite this, dozens of people milled around the house, with police personnel on site.
Last year, 21 people were killed and nine seriously injured during the event, which saw the family handing out Rp 30,000 (US$3) to each person lining up at the house.
Syaikhon’s son Faroul, who organized last year’s event, were held responsible for the tragedy and sentenced to three years in jail.
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