Life under the shadow of tragedy at KL tahfiz centre

The Tahfiz Darul Ittifaqiyah centre in Jalan Keramat Hujung, Kuala Lumpur, some six years after the blaze that claimed over 20 lives.

Traces of the fire can still be seen on the temporary building used by the students while the new centre was being renovated.

The hostel that once housed the centre's students.

In the new building, classes are split into two groups according to age.

A student leans over during his turn to read from the Quran.

In another room, a boy spreads out a shirt as he prepares to iron it ahead of the Friday prayers.

Another student winds a turban about his head as he, too, prepares for the weekly prayers.

A boy buttons up his shirt as he enters a courtyard where crates of bottled water are stacked in a corner.

The students walk up the hill along Jalan Keramat Hujung as they make their way to the mosque.

At the mosque, they queue to enter the building.

They sit with the grownups, listening as the imam speaks.

In the evening, they have time to play at the futsal court behind the centre.

Others sit and chat while they watch the game.

While physical traces of the fire remain at the building, the students go about their routine cheerfully as life continues.