Kuala terengganu: The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has transformed the lives of asnaf groups, including helping them break out of poverty, through high-impact education and entrepreneurship programmes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MAIDAM’s chief executive officer, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan, highlighted the strategic collaboration with institutions of higher learning and private hospitals, which has enabled asnaf children to be trained in nursing, eventually securing permanent employment. He explained that by the end of their studies, these students undergo formal training in hospitals and then transition directly into employment, efficiently utilizing zakat funds.

Ahmad Azrin shared on Bernama TV’s ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme that more than 70 per cent of the state’s zakat collection is distributed to the poor and needy. Currently, the focus is on developing productive capacity, which includes financial, emotional, and spiritual support. He emphasized that MAIDAM’s success in these initiatives has been recognized with the National Zakat Award under the entrepreneur category, underscoring the effectiveness of its empowerment programmes in fostering self-reliant zakat recipients.

Furthermore, Ahmad Azrin noted that MAIDAM’s assistance extends beyond financial aid, incorporating emotional and spiritual support as well. He also mentioned MAIDAM’s leadership in innovative Islamic fund management initiatives, such as wakaf-based investments through Exchange Traded Funds and a solar energy wakaf project, which is in the approval process.

Ahmad Azrin stressed the importance of an integrated approach to poverty management, revealing that MAIDAM is working on data integration between agencies to expedite and streamline the aid distribution process. He advocated for cooperative efforts among all parties to address poverty issues effectively.