Collection Of Rm14, Rm21 Zakat Fitrah In Melaka Shows Rising Trend This Ramadan

MELAKA, 26 Mac (Bernama) -- There has been an increase of about 10 to 15 per cent in the collection of zakat fitrah (personal tithe) for rates of RM14 and RM21 in the state, so far.

Melaka Zakat chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Azmi Sabtu said this showed the awareness of Muslims in the state in fulfilling the fourth pillar of Islam by making payments based on the grade and current price of the rice used.

"We see the increase in payments for the rates are also based on the increase in demand for zakat fitrah coupons at RM14 and RM21 among appointed amil (tithe collectors) compared to last year," he told reporters after attending the 'Tautan Kasih Ramadan’ programme organised by Zakat Melaka here today.

Based on the trend, he is confident of achieving the target of collecting RM5.9 million in personal tithes this year, compared to RM5.6 million last year.

Meanwhile, during the programme, 160 recipients comprising poor children and orphans from schools throughout the state received complete sets of raya clothes in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration.

Thirty-five-year-old Khadijah Mohd Sani, a single mother from Kampung Kuala Linggi, expressed her gratitude when her eldest son, Muhammad Aqil Halif, 7, was chosen to receive the contribution, saying it helped to ease her burden a little as she only makes about RM30 a day from selling cookies.

"Previously, my son would often ask me to get him new raya clothes. With this assistance today, I only need to gather money to buy new clothes for his five-year-old brother,” she said.

-- BERNAMA