Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on zakat collection organised by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), he said the zakat collection centre (PPZ) managed to collect RM357,011,562 between January and June.

“It’s a 9% increase in zakat collection compared with the same period last year,” he told reporters.

Zulkifli expected total collection for this year to reach RM700 million.

However, he said the number of asnaf (people in need of financial aid) had increased, with more people requesting for aid compared with last year.

So far, RM5 million of the zakat collection had been distributed to those categorised as asnaf.

He said the business zakat collection had also increased for this year but he urged more companies to start contributing.

He said RM58,171,023 of the RM357 million was in business zakat, an 8% increase compared with last year.

Earlier, Zulkifli introduced a zakat logo for businesses.

“This logo will be given to companies that contribute zakat every year. This logo is seen as a complement to the halal logo and can be included on the company’s products.

“This way, consumers can choose to buy products from a company that performs its Islamic religious obligation,” he said.

He assured those in need that more ways will be created to ensure financial aid reaches them.

Zakat is a religious obligation for Muslims who meet several criteria of wealth and where 2.5% of one’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount is given as zakat.

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