MAIDAM Transforms Asnaf Lives Through Education, Entrepreneurship

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has transformed the lives of asnaf groups, including helping them break out of poverty, through high-impact education and entrepreneurship programmes.

Its chief executive officer Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan said that strategic collaboration with institutions of higher learning and private hospitals has enabled asnaf children to be trained in nursing, eventually securing permanent employment.

“So by the end of their studies, they will undergo formal training in hospitals and then move straight into employment. This completes the circle — zakat funds are being used in a truly optimal way,” he said on Bernama TV’s “Ruang Bicara” programme last night.

In addition, Ahmad Azrin stated that more than 70 per cent of the state’s zakat collection is distributed to the poor and needy, with the current focus on developing productive capacity, which encompasses financial, emotional and spiritual support.

He said MAIDAM’s success has also been recognised with the receipt of the National Zakat Award under the entrepreneur category, proving the effectiveness of its empowerment programmes in producing self-reliant zakat recipients.

“MAIDAM’s assistance is not just financial; we also provide emotional and spiritual support,” he said.

He added that MAIDAM is also leading innovative initiatives in Islamic fund management, such as wakaf-based investments through Exchange Traded Funds and a solar energy wakaf project, which is currently undergoing approval.

He said MAIDAM emphasises the importance of an integrated approach to poverty management, and is working on data integration between agencies to expedite and streamline the aid distribution process.

“We cannot take a siloed approach; instead, we need the cooperation of all parties to address poverty issues,” he said.

-- BERNAMA