Muis sets RM7 as Fitrah tithe for this Ramadan

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) on Wednesday set RM7 as the 'Zakat Fitrah' (Fitrah tithe) rate in conjunction with the fasting month of Ramadan this year.Its Chairman Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said, who made the announcement, said the tithe rate was based on a measurement of one bushel during the Prophet time or equivalent to 2.7 kilogrammes of rice, which is the staple food of majority of people in Sabah.

He said the tithe is to be paid before or on the first day of Syawal, as long as it is done before the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri prayer.

"We have set a target of collecting RM9.2 million in Fitrah tithe this year which is higher than last year's collection of RM8.93 million at the same tithe rate.

"We are optimistic of achieving the target this year due to growing awareness among Muslims about their responsibility to pay the 'Fitrah tithe' during the fasting month.

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"In addition, other positive contributing factors are due to the stability of the nation's economy and enhanced competency of the tithe collectors as well as the Sabah Tithe Centre," he said.

Suhaili said this in a press conference at Madani room, Wisma Muis, here.

Also present were Muis Deputy Chairman Junaidi Jumahat, Sabah Tithe Centre (PZS) Principal Assistant Secretary Ustaz Zaratkan Abdul Rahman, Muis Supreme Council Member Aminuddin Yakub, Sabah Police Contingent Management Department Head SAC Omar Mammah and other officials.

Suhaili said another factor for the high target collection was due to newly set up Sabah Tithe Centre branches in Kota Marudu, Keningau and Beaufort early this year that will accommodate the Muslims in paying the tithe and giving donations to eligible recipients. He said Muis has appointed a total of 1,968 tithe collectors and 36 heads tithe collectors to collect the 'Zakat Fitrah' from Muslims.

Towards this end, Suhaili advised Muslims to pay the tithe only to tithe collectors appointed by Muis who have been supplied with authority cards from the council.

"Throughout the Ramadan month this year, Muis has allocated RM8.2 million to be distributed among 37,268 underprivileged people, including the hardcore poor, poor and Muslim converts in Sabah to help them prepare to celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

"A sum of RM1.1 million would be distributed among the tithe collectors as their wages for collecting and distributing the tithe to eligible recipients," he said.

He said Muis has also set a target collection of RM67.4 million this year for all types of tithe compared to RM61.8 million collected last year.

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Meanwhile, Suhaili disclosed that Muis has bought four lots of a building in Tawau as the new building of PZS in the district that would provide better comfort not only to their staff but also to the public.

He also launched a mobile van counter of PZS that will be stationed in government departments and agencies as well as in public places like in hospitals and shopping malls so as to facilitate Muslims paying the Fitrah tithe and other types of tithes.

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