KUALA LUMPUR:The total zakat (Islamic tax, one of the pillars of Islam) collected by the Zakat Collection Centre of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (PPZ-MAIWP) last year went up by 11 per cent to RM756 million compared to RM682 million previously.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said the total was the best since PPZ-MAIWP was set up 30 years ago.

"I am thankful to Allah because the collection of zakat has shown an extraordinary increase even when the country is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As the minister in charge of MAIWP, I have seen the seriousness shown by all PPZ-MAIWP staff in mobilising zakat dakwah efforts and courting various sections of society through the corporate social responsibility initiative, Khaira PPZ especially in these difficult times," he said in a media statement here today.

He also congratulated the PPZ-MAIWP board members led by Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al-Habshee, the management team led by chief executive officer Ahmad Shukri Yusoff and all PPZ-MAIWP staff for this achievement.

Zulkifli said he and the religious agencies under the Prime Minister's Department were determined to continue to treat the zakat recipients well.

"Every cent earned will be distributed fairly to those in need. The confidence and trust of Muslims in the Federal Territory to the credibility of MAIWP as an institution that manages zakat will continue to be defended with full integrity.

"God willing, every recipient will continue to be championed so that all of them can get out of the shackles of poverty and hardship," he said.

-- BERNAMA