GEORGE TOWN, February 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the imperative for states to prioritize addressing hardcore poverty over merely reporting high collections of zakat, the Islamic tithe mandated among Muslims. Speaking at the Penang International Zakat Conference 2024 at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Anwar stressed that zakat should be channeled to fully benefit the hardcore poor and low-income groups, considering it as a crucial institution for building the strength of the ummah, or Muslim community.
Anwar underscored the significance of good governance in managing zakat, emphasizing that despite substantial zakat collections, poverty cannot be resolved without effective governance. He emphasized the responsibility of utilizing every cent of zakat collected in a manner that effectively addresses the issues faced by the hardcore poor. Furthermore, Anwar highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between low and high-income groups, advocating for zakat funds to provide access to facilities and technological advancements for the low-income group to compete effectively.
As Anwar urged states to prioritize poverty eradication, he called on Penang to submit a report on the state of poverty eradication within a week, emphasizing the importance of utilizing zakat funds effectively to uplift the disadvantaged segments of society.
