Zakat only for Muslims, clarifies Selangor board

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 31 Dec 2018 11:20AM · 3 Comments

A man paying zakat to an officer at a mosque in Hulu Klang, Selangor, last year. The Selangor Zakat Board's new motto, 'Tithe Benefits for All', has caused confusion among the public about eligible recipients. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 31, 2018.

THE Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) will only distribute zakat (tithes) collected in the state to Muslims.

Chief coordinating officer Abdul Basith Hamid, in a statement today, said the scope of the board’s tithe distribution is based on shariah laws, covering eight categories of hardcore poor.

The statement is in response to an internal LZS circular on its new motto, “Manfaat Zakat Untuk Semua” (Tithe Benefits for All), that went viral on social media and WhatsApp recently, causing confusion among the public.

Basith said the new motto, which comes into effect tomorrow, replacing the old motto of “Menerajui Perubahan” (Spearheading Change), carries the message that though zakat is specifically for Muslims, it will benefit the community as a whole, both economically and socially.

He said helping the hardcore poor will indirectly improve the nation, benefiting every citizen regardless of race or religion.

He added that LZS is not linked to or influenced by any political outfit.

“LZS abides by the Islamic Administration Enactment (Selangor) 2003, and Zakat and Fitrah Regulations (Selangor) 2012 in the distribution and collection of tithes in the state.”

He said zakat-related activities in Selangor are monitored by the state Islamic Religious Council and Fatwa Committee. – Bernama, December 31, 2018.

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Comments

  • Terrible ..60 years of preferential treatment with all sorts aid, still asking for more. What makes me sick is when they need help they will ask from the North Pole to the south, but when they give its only for Muslims, why? All other charities dont decriminate, why only Islam. Dont give us the bullshit that helping the Muslim poor will somehow help the non Muslim poor. Its a poor excuse for bias using the bylaws of the religion. Its morally wrong. On top of it its tax deductible, so you take back what you give. Whose money then goes to the poor?

    Posted 5 years ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply

  • Of course, we know. Muslims don't pay income tax, they pay zakat and this zakat fund is only for religious purposes like building mosque, pay salary and allowance for Muslim preachers and other Muslim needs.

    Non-Muslims paid income tax and this tax is used to pay salary and pensions for civil servants and national expenses.

    PTPTN got grants from Federal Government which is income tax from non-Muslims. And PTPTN paid zakat for Muslim purposes.

    Yes, Muslims cheated non-Muslims for the last 60 years without feeling guilty over it.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • How ignorant some of you are. Not only is my monthly salary is deducted for PCB, I also have to pay for zakat! But it is ok, one is for country and another is for God. For the ignorant lot, stop spewing hatred and confusion. Be a better human being, educate yourself.

    Posted 5 years ago by Heisen berg · Reply