Page 11 - Zakat in Malaysia

ZAKAT IN MALAYSIA

Meanwhile, Jabatan Wakaf, Zakat dan Haji Malaysia (JAWHAR, Department of
Wakaf, Zakat and Hajj Malaysia) was established to be the premier department in
leading Ummah development by empowering the world class institutions of waqf,
zakat, mal, and hajj/umrah. The functions of JAWHAR are:

1. To plan, implement, monitor, and coordinate the development of waqf, zakat,
mal, and hajj/umrah institutions to enable them to function more effectively for
the socio-economic development of the Ummah;
2. To plan and coordinate the requirements and the uniformity of the legal system
for the development of waqf, zakat, mal, and hajj/umrah institutions;
3. To develop smart partnerships with Government agencies and GLCs/private
sector in the development of waqf, zakat, mal, and hajj/umrah institutions;
4. To carry out research and studies, publications, and coordination on issues and
programmes on Muslims’ economic development to enable full utilisation by the
community; and
5. To assist and provide support in human resource management, finance, and ICT
to State Religious Authorities and related agencies.
On the international front, the Islamic matters within ASEAN countries are coordinated
by the Islamic Council of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, or better known
as MABIMS. Malaysia is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries
(OIC), which has 57 members and 5 observer states. As a conclusion, all religious
matters and ceremonial customs of Muslims in Malaysia are administered by the
respective states, with each state’s Ruler/Sultan assuming the role of the Head of the
Islamic Religion.

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