Page 10 - Zakat in Malaysia

ZAKAT IN MALAYSIA

A typical IRC with about 20 members in each state normally consists of:

• Representatives from the Royal House (Palace) of the state
• Representatives from the State Government
• Several academicians
• A few businessmen
• Professionals
• Senior government servants

At the Federal level, the coordination of Islamic Affairs is under the responsibility of
a department under the Prime Minister’s Department known as Jabatan Kemajuan
Islam Malaysia (JAKIM, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia). As a leading
management agency on Islamic affairs at the Federal level and a secretariat to the
Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Malaysia (MKI, Islamic Affairs
Council of Malaysia), JAKIM carries out the following three main functions:
Function 1 : Drafting and ensuring the uniformity of Islamic laws
Function 2 : Coordinating the Islamic administration
Function 3 : Coordinating and developing Islamic Education

JAKIM plays a central role in the planning of Islamic affairs management and the
development of the Ummah by focusing on the following functions:

1. Responsible as the planner that determines the development and progress of
Islamic affairs in the country;
2. Defines the fundamentals for the development of Islamic affairs in the country
and preserves the purity of Islamic faith and teachings;
3. Assists in drafting and harmonising the necessary laws and regulations, as well
as assessing and coordinating the implementation of existing laws and
administration from time to time, in the effort to resolve the problems faced by
Muslims;
4. Implements Islamic community development and appreciation programmes in
the Federal Administration;
5. Coordinates the legal enforcement mechanisms and regulatory matters of Islamic
affairs nationwide;
6. Evaluates the Islamic affairs programmes implemented in the country;
7. Acts as a collector, distributor, and reference centre for Islamic affairs; and
8. Implements Ummah development programmes through regional and international
cooperation.

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