Government mulls making waqf a household name

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22  -- To encourage continuous contributions from the society, the government is planning to make the word 'waqf' a household name or brand that would be rooted in the mind of every family institutions.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Fuziah Salleh said the iniatitive should be imparted from the very young age so that the communities would get used to the charity platform, hence, develop funds collection.

"Our vision is to develop the institution of waqf as a family brand so that every Muslim has the opportunity to obtain continuous reward up until the hereafter," she told reporters after delivering her keynote address at the Rejuvenation of Waqf: Towards Socio-Economic Empowerment hi-tea talk here today.

Fuziah also urged the public to move away from the conventional mentality that waqf was only meant for mosques, religious schools, Islamic cemeteries and specific lineage.

She said the waqf concept had flourished during the time of Ottoman Empire where hospitals, schools, roads, food and other basic necessities to society were provided.

Since the establishment of Waqf, Tithe and Haj Department (JAWHAR) in 2004 and Malaysia Waqf Foundation (YWM) in 2008, the deputy minister said the federal government had spent millions, together with the state Islamic religious councils to develop waqf assets.

"There were projects developed for social needs such as schools, shelter homes, haemodialysis centres and religious institute for newly-converted Muslims," she added.

Moving forward, Fuziah said, the 'rejuvenation of waqf' should be given adequate focus to elevate and being a passage towards the development of socio-economic empowerment.

Earlier at the event, Fuziah also witnessed the signing of memorandum between YWM and Public Islamic Bank Bhd to signify their collaboration on the waqf collection.

-- BERNAMA