"Zakat Not So Effective Against Poverty If Implemented In Isolation"

IPOH (Perak, Malaysia), Jan 30 (Bernama) - Zakat (tithe) is unable to play a more effective role in addressing poverty if implemented in isolation, says the Crown Prince of northern state of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. He said that zakat, a component of Islamic law, has the potential to make greater impact if the money collected could be properly utilised. "Poverty should not only be measured in terms of quantity and material but also in terms of faith, spiritual and the mind. "A poor mind, spirit and faith is difficult to enrich and develop an independent character," he said at 178th Perak Islamic Council and Malay Customs Conference here on Monday. The group would easily discard principles and be manipulated despite having material support or wealth leading to leakages thus leaving Muslims in poverty. Raja Nazrin said it is important that a comprehensive anti-poverty programme based on Islamic law be implemented to build independent character that holds fast to godly principles. "Zakat is distributed to liberate Muslims and make them self reliant. A successful programme is one that can reduce the number of Muslims dependent on zakat aid. "It can create more Muslims capable of paying zakat, one of the pillars of Islam," said Raja Nazrin who is also president of Perak Islamic and Malay Customs Council. The zakat management should emulate Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz in implementating an effective zakat system based on Islamic law despite being in power for only three years. Raja Nazrin also said 54.4 percent of RM69.4mil zakat was distributed to the the poor in Perak last year. (US$1=RM3.03) Some RM37.78mil was distributed to 5,985 poor, 13,434 students, 182 received aid to build houses and 205 had their houses repaired. Unaudited financial statements showed that zakat collection for Perak last year registered RM86.11mil, up by 22.53 percent or RM15.83mil. - BERNAMA Malaysia