Selangor: Persatuan Amal Kebajikan Sahabat Urwah (URWAH), in partnership with students from Universiti Teknologi MARA's (UiTM) Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School (AAGBS), recently held a community programme titled Suai Kenal Bersama Penerima Zakat di Selangor. This initiative aimed to create a platform for meaningful engagement with zakat (tithe) beneficiaries in the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, URWAH stated that the programme's primary goal was to enhance community well-being by understanding the actual needs and expectations of zakat recipients concerning the aid delivery system in Selangor.
The programme, organised by AAGBS postgraduate students as part of their Applied Business Project (ABP791) subject, supported their research on zakat recipients' satisfaction. It facilitated interaction between students, non-governmental organisations, and the zakat recipient community.
Under the academic supervision of Associate Professor Dr Mohd Fathi Abu Yaziz @ Mohamad, the event included a lecture on zakat and an interactive session with beneficiaries. This allowed students to gain firsthand insight into the experiences of those receiving zakat assistance.
AAGBS dean Professor Dr Norzanah Mat Nor highlighted that the programme reflects the school's commitment to ensuring postgraduate learning is not only theoretical but also practically rooted in community realities and social responsibility. She emphasized the importance of fostering an ethical and empathetic understanding of zakat recipients' experiences.
Mohd Fathi noted that the well-planned approach of the programme enabled students to gain contextual exposure and deepen their ethical awareness of the zakat delivery system within the Islamic social finance framework.
URWAH chairman Mohamad Dhirar Azwar Mohd Nadzri expressed the association's dedication to serving as a bridge between academic institutions and the zakat recipient community. He highlighted the programme's role in building trust and mutual understanding, describing it as an important first step in comprehending the realities faced by zakat recipients and strengthening community relationships.
He added that the programme is expected to bolster collaboration between various stakeholders and contribute to both knowledge development and improved zakat services across Selangor.