Close to $2 million will be disbursed to the poor by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) this Ramadan.

The bulk of the amount will go into Muis' Ramadan Bonus, a financial assistance scheme for those with lower incomes.

Speaking at Muis' annual Ramadan Disbursement Ceremony yesterday, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said 12,909 recipients will benefit from this year's disbursements.

The amount given out this year is 16 per cent more than in 2015, added Dr Yaacob.

The money was raised from zakat donations (or tithes) from the Muslim community. It will also be used to help needy madrasah students and fund programmes run by mosques.

One of this year's beneficiaries is Madam Faridah Abdullah, 37, whose eight-member household is receiving $960 - or $120 for each person. Her husband is a lorry driver who supports the family on a salary of $1,500 a month.

"With this money, we can buy some additional food and add it to our meals when we break fast," she said.

Danson Cheong