HELP FOR ‘ASNAF’ KIDS
Johor Islamic Religious Council to distribute school aid to 30,000
THE Johor Islamic Religious Council has allocated RM5 million in school aid for 30,000 asnaf, or eligible recipients, in the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the move was in line with the state government’s efforts to ensure that less-fortunate students received aid.
He said as zakat recipients, they should not rely solely on aid but they must strive to improve their living standard through education.
“Hopefully, education will help improve Muslims who are poor.
“I hope Muslims will continue to carry out their zakat obligation.
“Our zakat collection has been increasing every year. This is a reflection of Johor’s inclusive economy,” said Khaled after handing over new school uniforms to the recipients at Dewan Muafakat Johor in Bandar Permas Jaya here on Friday.
Present were Pasir Gudang member of parliament Datuk Normala Abd Samad and Johor Islamic Religious Council chief executive officer Abdul Alim Shukor.
Khaled said that out of the 30,000 students who would be receiving the aid, 1,616 were from Pasir Gudang, who would receive RM267,497.
“Non-Muslims will receive similar aid through programmes under Umno division welfare bureaus, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the Pasir Gudang Foundation.”
He said 1,000 non-Muslim students had been identified to receive the aid.
The Johor Islamic Religious Council collected RM211 million in zakat in 2014. This amount rose to RM239 million in 2015 and RM250 million last year.