Parliament: Zakat funds not used for Muis operating expenditure, says Yaacob Ibrahim

Zakat, the annual tithe contributed by Muslims, is not used to fund the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's (Muis) operating expenditure. -- PHOTO: MUIS
Zakat, the annual tithe contributed by Muslims, is not used to fund the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's (Muis) operating expenditure. -- PHOTO: MUIS

SINGAPORE - Zakat, the annual tithe contributed by Muslims, is not used to fund the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's (Muis) operating expenditure.

Muis instead dips into its general endowment fund for such expenses, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said in Parliament on Thursday.

This fund comes from a number of sources, including property income and fees for services such as Halal certification.

Zakat funds are separately accounted for, added Dr Yaacob.

He was responding to Mr Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who asked about the total amount of zakat that Muis has collected, and whether this is used to pay for the council's operating expenses.

Muis collected $28.4 million in zakat contributions in 2013. The amount for 2014 has not been confirmed through audit, said Dr Yaacob.

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