Malaysia Rejects Proposal to Create Non-Muslim Equivalent of Zakat Fund

Malaysia Rejects Proposal to Create Non-Muslim Equivalent of Zakat Fund
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Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance has rejected parliamentary calls to establish a zakat-like fund for non-Muslim communities, stressing that zakat is a religious obligation defined strictly by Islamic law and cannot be adapted for political or public policy experimentation.

In an official statement, the ministry noted that zakat is required only of Muslims who meet specific criteria and is distributed exclusively to the eight beneficiary groups outlined in Islamic jurisprudence, including the poor, the needy, and debtors. Creating a parallel fund, it said, would contradict the religious nature and legal framework governing zakat.

The ministry also emphasized that zakat administration falls under the authority of state-level Islamic institutions, not the federal government—reinforcing its status as a religious matter separate from political considerations.

While acknowledging the proposals raised in parliament, the government underscored that any changes affecting the zakat system would require extensive review. It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all Malaysians equally through nationwide social welfare, education, and assistance programs regardless of religion or ethnicity.