SHAH ALAM, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Persatuan Amal Kebajikan Sahabat Urwah (URWAH), in collaboration with students from Universiti Teknologi MARA’s (UiTM) Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School (AAGBS), hosted a community programme Suai Kenal Bersama Penerima Zakat di Selangor, providing a platform for meaningful engagement with the state’s zakat (tithe) beneficiaries.
In a statement, URWAH said the programme aimed to enhance community well-being by understanding the actual needs and expectations of zakat recipients regarding the aid delivery system in Selangor.
Organised by AAGBS postgraduate students as part of the Applied Business Project (ABP791) subject, the programme complements their research on zakat recipients’ satisfaction and facilitated two-way interaction between students, non-governmental organisations and the zakat recipient community.
Under the academic supervision of Associate Professor Dr Mohd Fathi Abu Yaziz @ Mohamad, the programme featured a lecture on zakat and an interactive session with beneficiaries, giving students first-hand insight into the experiences of those receiving zakat assistance.
AAGBS dean Professor Dr Norzanah Mat Nor said the programme reflected the school’s commitment to ensuring that postgraduate learning is not only grounded in theory but also firmly rooted in community realities and social responsibility.
She added that such a platform was important for fostering a deeper, ethical, and empathetic understanding of the experiences of zakat recipients while encouraging the potential of today’s beneficiaries to become future contributors.
Meanwhile, Mohd Fathi said the programme’s well-planned approach allowed students to gain contextual exposure and deepen their ethical awareness of the zakat delivery system within the Islamic social finance framework.
URWAH chairman Mohamad Dhirar Azwar Mohd Nadzri said the association was committed to serving as a bridge between academic institutions and the zakat recipient community through an approach centred on building trust and mutual understanding.
“This programme has been an important first step in understanding the realities faced by zakat recipients and in strengthening community relationships,” he said, adding that URWAH also played a role in coordinating the event and providing tokens of appreciation to participants.
He said the programme is expected to strengthen collaboration between various stakeholders and contribute to both knowledge development and improved zakat services across Selangor.
-- BERNAMA