Starting Jun 1, monthly contributions by Muslims to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) will be raised by between S$1 and S$10.
The increase, announced by Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore’s (MUIS) Workplan Seminar on Saturday (Mar 12), is the first revision to contributions since 2009.
Four additional tiers have been added for those earning between S$4,000 and S$10,000.
Muslims earning below S$1,000 as well as those earning between S$1,000 and S$2,000 will pay S$1 more, bringing their monthly contribution to S$3 and S$4.50, respectively. The contributions progressively increase based on eight income bands, up to a maximum of S$26 for those earning above S$10,000, an increase of S$10 from the current monthly contribution.
“The revision will allow us to raise an addition of at least S$6 million every year and this will go a long way to improve the socio-religious life of our community,” Dr Yaacob said.
The MBMF has enabled the upgrading of 17 mosques adding 4,700 prayer spaces, as well as contributed to the building of new mosques such as the Al-Islah Mosque in Punggol, he said. The fund has also helped to enhance madrasah education and support parents with school-going children.
MUIS said higher contributions will help ensure the timely completion of future mosque development and upgrading projects. The increase will also boost funding for Mendaki, which has dipped into its reserves since 2013 to expand its educational programmes and meet rising costs, it said.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
