Ministry raises over RM1.5mil for MyWaqf
IN just a week, the Higher Education Ministry has raised over RM1.5mil for its MyWAQF initiative.
The contribution was from staff, universities, polytechnics, community colleges, departments, and agencies, under the ministry.
Set up as part of a resolution made during the Higher Education Forum 2018 organised in February this year, MyWaqf is a collaboration between the ministry and Awqaf Holdings Bhd - an organisation that’s authorised to collect and administer waqf contributions from the public.
Waqf is a trust or endowment, whereby private property is dedicated for a charitable purpose in perpetuity and is motivated by a sense of responsibility to humanity.
During the launch of MyWaqf on March 20, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh explained that the initiative was aimed at cultivating a caring and loving culture.
“It doesn’t matter whether the contribution is big or small. It will still benefit the needy - both Muslims and non-Muslims.
“MyWaqf can be used for many purposes including scholarships, research grants, healthcare, the people’s welfare and even to build infrastructure.
“If we have enough funds, we don’t have to rely solely on the public and private sectors.”
He said having a global waqf foundation should be the goal as capitalism has proven to be ineffective in solving the world’s problems.
“The world needs people who value collaborations, love and compassion. Waqf can be the world’s third economic force. It’s about sustainable growth.”