Rilek1Corner

Tag: MUIS

  • Almakhazin SG: Most Of Zakat To MUIS Does Not Go To Needy

    Almakhazin SG: Most Of Zakat To MUIS Does Not Go To Needy

    A lot of Muslims assume that MUIS’ funds are mainly (if not only) from two sources:

    1. Government
    2. MBMF

    And we think that MUIS staff salary are all paid by the government.

    Not true.

    MUIS actually has multiple sources of income.

    As showed previously, MUIS collects about $22 million a year from the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF)

    Another source of funds for MUIS is zakat (harta and fitrah).

    In 2014, MUIS collected $31.8 million zakat/ fitrah.

    For most of us, when we give our zakat, apart from it being a religious obligation, we assume the money will be used to help those in need.

    While we may know the different asnaf, there is an expectation that most of the funds will be used to help the needy (whether they are poor, mualaf, travellers etc).

    But what many of us may not realise is that a lot of the funds actually go to support MUIS staff salary and operations.

    Of the $31.8 million collected in 2014, only $13.8 million went to the needy.

    That is less than half of the zakat/ fitrah collected.

    Where did the rest of the money go to?

    zakat income and expenditure

    About $1million went to rent.

    $7.65 million of the zakat is used for salary.

    And this is not for amil. Amil commission is $900,000.

    $310,000 of the zakat/ fitrah collection was used for IT maintenance.

    Several million are given out as grants.

    In 2014, MUIS gave $250,000 to the RRG.

    RRG is an organisation set up by the government. We are still waiting for MUIS to respond to our email if the money given to RRG came from our zakat/ fitrah.

    And MUIS still has about $30 million from the fitrah fund in bank.

    fitrah fund 2014 cash balance

    Most of the money we give for zakat does not go to the needy.

    A large part of it goes to MUIS staff and its operations.

    And some of the funds collected are kept in the bank.

    Source: MUIS Annual report 2014

     

    Source: Almakhazin SG

  • MUIS: Dapatkan Nasihat Jika Mahu Menuntut Di Luar Negara

    MUIS: Dapatkan Nasihat Jika Mahu Menuntut Di Luar Negara

    TIMBALAN Pengarah Pejabat Mufti Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis), Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir:

    “Kami menggesa Muslim di Singapura yang mahu mendalami Islam agar mendapatkan panduan dan nasihat daripada asatizah yang diiktiraf.

    “Bagi mereka yang ingin belajar di institusi luar negara, harap dapatkan nasihat Muis dan kami akan memberikan panduan dan sokongan sewajarnya berkaitan institusi luar negara yang sesuai bagi pengajian Islam.

    “Kami juga ingin menggalakkan ibu bapa dan anggota keluarga agar memainkan peranan lebih aktif membimbing mereka yang disayangi, dalam mendapatkan sumber pengajian Islam yang sepatutnya.

    “Sebagai sebuah masyarakat, kita harus kekal berjaga-jaga terhadap elemen pelampau dalam masyarakat. Kita harus terus menegakkan ajaran Islam yang relevan bagi keperluan kontemporari dan yang sesuai dengan kehidupan berbilang agama di Singapura

    “Muis, dengan kerjasama masjid dan institusi setempat, telah memperkenalkan pelbagai program pengajian Islam seperti aLive dan ADIL (pengajian Islam bagi dewasa) yang bertujuan memenuhi objektif ini.”

     

    Source: www.beritaharian.sg

  • MUIS, MBMF And Tranparency

    MUIS, MBMF And Tranparency

    The last few days, there have been some murmurings about MUIS’ decision to increase the amount that every Muslim contributes to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF).

    Beginning from 1st June, MBMF contributions will increase between $1-10.

    There are of course, several perspectives to this issue.

    First, MBMF helps the community to build masjid and run Mendaki activities.

    Mendaki also contributes a portion of the funds to other Muslim organisations it supports.

    Second, MBMF is a very efficient way to collect funds. Rather than wait for Muslims to send in their donations or organise standing orders to deduct part of their salary, MBMF reverses method. Muslims are assumed to agree to donate and only opt-out if they do not want to contribute. This ensures maximum contribution.

    However, while there is benefit to the system, there are certainly obvious flaws.

    The main flaws are centred on the lack of transparency and consultation.

    First, it removes the intention from the donor. The donor do not decide to contribute. The money is taken from him.

    That donors can opt-out does not negate the fact that those who remain may not necessarily intend to donate.

    or even if they agree, that decision was taken away from them from the beginning.

    Second, and more importantly, is the lack of transparency and consultation.

    While we can appreciate some of the work done by MUIS and Mendaki, there is still a lot of problems with regard to its institutional and functional designs.

    Both organisations’s finances are primarily supported by the Muslim community.

    Whether it is through MBMF, zakat harta, fitrah, waqf etc, the bulk of financial support comes from the Muslim community.

    And yet, they are not accountable to the community.

    When was the last time MUIS held a consultation session with the Muslim community to seek our input in their performance and actions?

    When did the Muslim community, the body that pays for MUIS and Mendaki’s main expenses, appoint the leaders of these two organisations?

    MUIS and Mendaki leaders are appointed by the government.

    They report to the government.

    But we pay their expenses.

    And when the government discriminate against Muslims, both organisations have taken the government’s position.

    And there have been quite a number of reports on how some Muslims in need were turned away by MUIS and Mendaki.

    We pay their expenses, support their programs and help them operate…but are not consulted.

    Instead, they reported to and are appointed by the government.

    And turn away some in need.

    Yes, Muslim organisations need support.

    But the support should come with accountability.

    And at times, it may be better to use the money that is deducted for MUIS and Mendaki to help those we know are truly in need.

     

    Source: Almakhazin SG

  • [Clarification] Masjid Sultan – Investigation Completed, Staff Did Not Chase Away Congregant, Reminded To Be Sensitive, Careful When Attending To Congregants

    [Clarification] Masjid Sultan – Investigation Completed, Staff Did Not Chase Away Congregant, Reminded To Be Sensitive, Careful When Attending To Congregants

    Assalamualaikum wr wb,

    Sultan Mosque viewed this matter seriously and has invited Mr Saifudean Mead for a meet up session to resolve this pertinent issue, amicably.

    The Mosque Management has investigated the case and found that our staff concerned did not chase away the congregant and his group from Sultan Mosque.

    Our management has reminded all staff to be vigilant and at the same time to be more sensitive and careful when attending to our congregants’ needs.

    Management Sultan Mosque.

    Wasalam.

     

    Source: Masjid Sultan Singapore

  • Sultan Mosque: We Will Investigate Staff Who Chased Congregants Out

    Sultan Mosque: We Will Investigate Staff Who Chased Congregants Out

    Salam everybody.Here’s an update, a pegawai executive from Masjid Sultan contacted me and he will look into this matter and investigate it with his staffs.

    He ensured that in the future the staffs will not repeat the same mistake.

    I hope everyone understand that this is because of an individual. I may be harsh with my last line to fault the whole organization but it does reflect them.

    I hope too we can see a better Masjid Sultan staffs in the future.

     

    Source: Saifudean Mead