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Tag: MUIS

  • Yaacob Ibrahim: Zakat Was Not Used To Fund MUIS’ Operating Expenditure

    Yaacob Ibrahim: Zakat Was Not Used To Fund MUIS’ Operating Expenditure

    Zakat, a tithe contributed by Muslims, is not used to fund the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore’s (MUIS) operating expenditure, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 29).

    MUIS is funded by its General Endowment Fund, which has a number of income sources, including property, inheritance and investment income, and fees for services such as Halal certification, said Dr Yaacob. Zakat funds are not part of the General Endowment Fund and are separately accounted for, added the minister.

    Dr Yaacob said this in response to a question by Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Zainal Sapari, who asked if any zakat was used to fund MUIS’ operating expenditure. Mr Zainal also asked what the total amount of zakat collected by MUIS was, and the breakdown of allocation of zakat to the beneficiaries.

    HOW ZAKAT WAS USED

    Dr Yaacob said the amount of zakat collected in 2013 was S$28.4 million, while the total for 2014 has not yet been confirmed through audit.

    Of the S$28.4 million in 2013, about S$11 million, or 40 per cent, was disbursed to the needy through direct financial assistance and empowerment programmes, said Dr Yaacob, and 5,263 families were helped through direct financial assistance in 2013.

    Another 40 per cent was used to support mosques and madrasahs through grants, programmes, and funds for the training of teachers, mosque religious officers, volunteers and youth development officers, he added.

    The remaining zakat was used for dakwah, or the propagation of Islamic knowledge, and public education, the development of Islamic education, and the funding of expenses incurred in the administration of Zakat, as well as assistance for Muslim converts, said Dr Yaacob.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • Wakaf Property Is Currently Being Occupied By Pu Guang Temple

    Wakaf Property Is Currently Being Occupied By Pu Guang Temple

    A wakaf property is currently used as a temple.

    The wakaf of Haji Pitchay Meerah Hussain was designated to be a madrasah or Arabic school. Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)is the administrator of the waqf.

    It is now used as the Pu Guang Tang Temple.

    Why is a wakaf property used as a temple? Are there no Muslim organisations that can use or rent the property?

    It is supposed to be used as a madrasah.

    A wakaf is a religious endowment. The person who created the wakaf hopes to gain ajr/ pahala through the use of the wakaf property. It is part of his service to Allah.

    But this wakaf property is used as a temple with a shrine.

    Edit: MUIS claim to have leased the property for 199 years in an asset migration exercise. The property will revert to MUIS in 2201.

    According to MUIS, “The Fatwa Committee opined that it is permissible to sell the commercial or residential units on a leasehold basis. In essence the freehold property will still remain with or belong to the waqf…”

    This means that the property “remain with” the wakaf. It is used as a temple.

     

    Source: Singapore Muslims for an Independent MUIS

  • Increasing Number Of Families Are Applying For Financial Assistance From MUIS

    Increasing Number Of Families Are Applying For Financial Assistance From MUIS

    The number of people applying for financial assistance through the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) has risen slightly over recent years, said Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, who is the Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs.

    The number of applicants for zakat financial assistance has risen from 5,210 applicants in 2012, to 5,306 applicants in 2013 and 5,454 applicants in 2014. Dr Yaacob added that over this time period, MUIS approved an average of 99 per cent of applications each year.

    Unsuccessful applicants might have sought help on matters for which MUIS does not have an assistance scheme. In such instances, MUIS would refer the applicants to the appropriate public agency, he added.

    Dr Yaacob said the per capita income cap of the assistance scheme is decided based on the long-term sustainability of the scheme and how it supplements existing national assistance schemes such as ComCare.

    With regards to enhancing services for needy families, Dr Yaacob said that MUIS regularly reviews the adequacy of its current financial assistance schemes and studies social trends and challenged faced by needy households. MUIS has also trained over 520 Mosque Befrienders to conduct regular home visits to long-term zakat recipients.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • MUIS Dan PERGAS: Nabi Muhammad SAW Harus Dijadikan Kayu Ukur Dalam Reaksi Kepada Insiden Charlie Hebdo

    MUIS Dan PERGAS: Nabi Muhammad SAW Harus Dijadikan Kayu Ukur Dalam Reaksi Kepada Insiden Charlie Hebdo

    PEMERINTAH tidak akan membenarkan pengedaran penerbitan yang memaparkan karikatur Nabi Muhammad saw seperti yang dilakukan malajah satira mingguan, Charlie Hebdo, mahupun apa sahaja kandungan sensitif dari segi agama.

    Ini ditegaskan Penguasa Pembangunan Media (MDA).

    Dalam pada itu, Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi E`hwal Masyarakat Islam, semasa bertemu media Jumaat lalu, akur bahawa umumnya masyarakat Islam setempat berasa tersinggung dengan tindakan majalah Charlie Hebdo, namun mereka memahami perlunya bertindak secara rasional.

    Sehubungan dengan itu, Pejabat Mufti dan Persatuan Ulama dan Guru-Guru Agama Islam Singapura (Pergas) turut suarakan rasa kesal terhadap tindakan mempersenda agama, namun mengingatkan umat Islam agar dalam memberikan reaksi kepada insiden Charlie Hebdo, Rasulullah saw semestinya menjadi kayu ukur kita.

    Rasulullah ketika dikasari membalasnya dengan hemah dan berhikmah sehingga beliau dihormati.

     

    Source: http://beritaharian.sg

  • Remove Nadi Magazine Featuring Non-Muslims Like Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and Gandhi From MUIS’ Archive

    Remove Nadi Magazine Featuring Non-Muslims Like Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and Gandhi From MUIS’ Archive

    Hard copies of the MUIS publication Nadi magazine were prominently-placed in mosques in Singapore.

    We take exception to this particular issue.

    The cover depicts three non-Muslim personalities – Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Mother Theresa

    It is undeniable that there are character traits that are present in for example Mandela that are admirable – his moral courage for one – and that Muslims should emulate. However, ultimate success in Islam carries a different paradigm. Success is attained when one has the right Aqeedah upon death. We therefore cannot consider these personalities as ultimately successful.

    More than that.

    Mother Theresa cares for the sick in Calcutta. However, on their deathbed, she tries to make them convert to her religion.

    This is something grave in Islam. It is a cause of great fitnah. Especially if the sick she was caring for was a Muslim.

    We request this particular issue of Nadi be removed from the MUIS archives.

     

    Source: Singapore Muslims for an Independent MUIS