MUIP targets RM3 mln in waqf fund this year

KUANTAN, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) has targeted a total of RM3 million in the state’s waqf (endowment) collection this year, says its chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Hairi Hussain.

He said various programmes have been planned to be implemented throughout the Syaaban month (the month preceding the holy month of Ramadan) to raise public awareness and encourage them to pay zakat (tithe) and make waqf such as street dakwah (preachings), seminars on waqf, roundtable discussions, briefings and setting up counters at government departments as well as schools.

"This initiative aims to expand community involvement in the implementation of waqf, among other things, because of the many benefits we can gain by giving waqf. Waqf can come in many forms, not necessarily involving land but cash as well as other valuables.

"The benefits of waqf are long-lasting, for example, people can make waqf by renting land to other parties and putting the rental money in the waqf fund which is then used to build roads, schools or madrasahs," he said.

He said this at the media conference held in conjunction with the launching of the Zakat and Waqf month that carries the ‘Zakat Satu Kewajipan, Wakaf Pahala Berkekalan’ motto here, today, which was also attended by Pahang Zakat and Waqf Collection Centre senior general manager Datuk Halidan Md Daud.

The waqf fund collection in Pahang last year amounted to RM2.24 million with 6,908 payers in contrast with RM1.34 million involving 4,715 payers in 2021.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Hairi said MUIP was expected to establish the Pahang Waqf Corporation in 2025 to manage matters related to waqf which also functions as an instrument to further provide economic empowerment to Muslims.

-- BERNAMA