IIUM’s Abu Hurairah Club is Changing Lives by Rescuing Cats
The Story of Labun: The Legend
Not every university student gets their own fan club. But Labun isn’t just any student. He struts around the International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) Gombak campus like he owns the place, sits in on lectures (though he mostly naps through it), and has charmed his way into everyone’s hearts.
Even students who graduated years ago return just to see him.
Now 10 years old, Labun – a cat – lives with a staff member and remains the beloved mascot of IIUM’s Abu Hurairah Club, a student-led animal rescue NGO.
The Abu Hurairah Club: A Student-Led Animal Rescue NGO
The club cares for campus strays by maintaining over 100 feeding stations and providing the animals with medical care.
“Labun was the first cat we rescued. We call him the legend. And he is the first cat with a metric card at IIUM!” said Zarinah Jan Yusof Khan, the club’s advisor.
From Humble Beginnings to International Recognition
The Abu Hurairah Club, named after one of Prophet Muhammad’s companions known for his love of cats, was officially founded in 2019. It has rescued over 500 cats and 10 dogs.
But beyond rescue work, the club’s true mission is to create awareness and compassion towards animals.
Create Awareness and Compassion
“We have many students in the club who were actually afraid of cats,” said Zarinah, a senior lecturer at IIUM. “But when they join our programmes, they become cat lovers, and come to assist us. This is what we want to do – create compassion.”
The club also emphasises responsible treatment of animals, drawing from Islamic teachings and universal values.
International Recognition
The club’s dedication has earned them international recognition. In 2020, it received the Regional Centre of Expertise Award, acknowledged by Unesco, for its Greater Gombak Animal Shelter Project.
Two years later, it was honoured with the Highly Commended Award for Benefiting Society under the International Green Gown Sustainability Awards.
The Future of Animal Welfare
The club envisions a dedicated cat therapy garden on campus – not just for students but to raise awareness and educate the wider community about responsible pet care.
With every purr and playful paw, the Abu Hurairah Club is not just changing lives on campus – they’re inspiring a future where every animal is treated with the love and respect it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the Abu Hurairah Club?
- A: The Abu Hurairah Club is a student-led animal rescue NGO at IIUM’s Gombak campus.
- Q: What does the club do?
- A: The club rescues and cares for campus strays, provides medical care, and creates awareness and compassion towards animals.
- Q: How many cats have been rescued by the club?
- A: Over 500 cats have been rescued by the club.
- Q: What is the club’s goal?
- A: The club’s goal is to create awareness and compassion towards animals and to make animal welfare clubs compulsory in all universities and schools.