Kuala lumpur: The Department of Waqf, Zakat and Haj (JAWHAR) under the Prime Minister's Department, in collaboration with the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM), is organising a two-day National Baitulmal Convention (KBK) 2026 from today to discuss the direction and transformation of Baitulmal management in Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event, held at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Hall, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), marks the sixth edition of the biennial convention. It serves as a key platform for institutions managing Baitulmal, Waqf, Zakat, and general resources, as well as government agencies, higher education institutions, academics, and industry practitioners to deliberate on the future direction of Baitulmal management in the country.
The convention has brought together more than 400 participants, including representatives from State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN), Zakat Management Agencies (AMZ), Waqf Management Agencies (AMW), General Resource Management Agencies (ASA), State Islamic Religious Departments, State Mufti Departments, public and private higher education institutions, federal government agencies, and invited speakers.
JAWHAR Director-General Datuk Mohd Zaidi Ramli stated that the convention, themed 'New Vision for Islamic Social Finance: Baitulmal Transformation, Empowering the Fardu Kifayah Agenda', aims to chart strategies to strengthen the socio-economic well-being of the ummah through the fardu kifayah economic sector. He emphasized the enhancement of capacity and competence of Baitulmal management institutions through the sharing of expertise, experience, and best practices.
Over the course of the two-day event, participants will engage in presentation sessions, forums, and knowledge-sharing activities featuring experienced figures in Islamic social finance. This platform is intended for exchanging ideas to strengthen the governance of Baitulmal institutions, ensuring they remain relevant, innovative, and impactful in national development.
The National Baitulmal Convention 2026 was officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan and attended by MAIDAM President Datuk Zulkifli Ali and MAIDAM Chief Executive Officer Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan.
Zulkifli stated that Baitulmal institutions nationwide must be empowered to drive economic growth among the Muslim community through a more progressive approach that harnesses digital technology and innovative Islamic social finance instruments. He highlighted that Baitulmal institutions are moving towards a more progressive approach by strengthening synergies involving digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other technologies to streamline and enhance service delivery systems.
Zulkifli also mentioned that beyond strengthening existing systems, Baitulmal institutions are exploring new and more competitive financial instruments and products to provide effective solutions for communities in addressing contemporary economic and social challenges.