Kuala lumpur: The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has collected more than RM900 million in zakat so far this year and has appealed for continued support from contributors to help achieve its RM1.2 billion target by Dec 31, with less than two weeks remaining.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MAIWP chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nizam Yahya urged zakat contributors, both individuals and corporate entities, to fulfill their responsibility before the year-end to help the council meet its collection target. "We call on all eligible zakat payers to perform their obligation before the end of the year so that the funds collected can be channeled efficiently to those in need," he said to reporters after the MAIWP Media Appreciation Night held here last night.

Mohd Nizam stated that MAIWP has approved an allocation of RM1.6 billion for next year to be distributed through 28 assistance schemes, reflecting the council's ongoing commitment to strengthening social welfare and community development. He highlighted that education and entrepreneurship assistance schemes are among the key priorities for next year, aiming to empower asnaf and enable them to achieve long-term financial sustainability.

"These two areas are crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping recipients with knowledge, skills, and opportunities, eventually becoming zakat payers," he noted. Mohd Nizam also called on the media fraternity to play a proactive role in raising public awareness of the importance of zakat contributions, particularly as the year-end approaches.

"We need the media's assistance in disseminating information to the community so that we can meet this year's zakat collection target, which in turn allows MAIWP to channel assistance effectively to the needy," he emphasized.