Zakat fitrah remains at RM7 this year, says Baitulmal Sarawak

KUCHING: The rate for the ‘zakat fitrah’ (tithe for Hari Raya Aidilfitri) this year remains at RM7, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak general manager Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Naili has confirmed.

According to him, the decision by the state mufti to maintain the rate took into account the current market price of rice – which is the nation’s staple.

Under the syariah, every Muslim not entitled to receiving tithe is obliged to hand over to Baitulmal his or her share of zakat fitrah, which comes either in its physical form of a bushel of staple crop – in the case of Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, the staple is rice – or the calculated market price of the crop weighing one bushel, which is 2.7kg.

Muslims can settle their zakat fitrah at any time between the start of the fasting month and before the mass prayer on the first of Syawal – the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The (zakat fitrah) rate was proposed by Sarawak Mufti Datu Kipli Yassin after taking into account of the present market price for rice and after due consideration and agreement, we have set the rate at RM7, similar to the previous year. We welcome the Muslims to pay their tithes early. Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Naili, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak general manager

“The (zakat fitrah) rate was proposed by Sarawak Mufti Datu Kipli Yassin after taking into account of the present market price for rice and after due consideration and agreement, we have set the rate at RM7, similar to the previous year. We welcome the Muslims to pay their tithes early,” he said yesterday.

On targeted zakatfitrahcollection for this year, Abang Shibli said Baitulmal Sarawak set a goal of RM5.1 million – an increase from last year’s RM4.9 million.

Additionally, he said a total of 827 ‘amil’(tithe collectors) had been appointed to receive the zakat on behalf of Baitulmal Sarawak across the state.

“Each ‘amil’, whether they are at the suraus, mosques or other establishments, must be honest and efficient in undertaking such duty.”

In response to public suggestion for the introduction of online payment for zakat fitrah, Abang Shibli said it had long been considered by Baitulmal Sarawak.

“However, it is yet to be implemented considering the relevancy and viability of such exercise, in view that zakat fitrah is only collected once a year – during Ramadan. We believe that it would be more convenient for the Muslims to settle the title by cash through our appointed amil,” he said.