HIS Majesty the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, has instructed the Perak State Mufti Department to study whether former prisoners eligible for release could be classified among the asnaf groups entitled to zakat assistance.
The Sultan urged the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council to consider funding programmes to equip ex-inmates with vocational skills, ensuring they can reintegrate productively into society after serving their sentences.
Sultan Nazrin praised the collaboration between the council and the Perak Prison Department, highlighting the pioneering Islamic correctional model at Batu Gajah Correctional Centre and Tapah Prison, which has delivered highly encouraging results.
“The programmes at these two institutions, funded through waqf and zakat since last year, have enabled several inmates to memorise portions of the Quran,” the Sultan said.
He added, “I believe MAIPk can play a constructive role in helping prisoners who have completed their sentences to begin a new life.
“The asnaf al-riqab category is no longer limited to those formerly enslaved, but now includes individuals trapped by social problems who need spiritual guidance to return to the right path.”
The Sultan made the remarks during the presentation ceremony for the MAIPk President and members, Perak Syariah Court judges, Mosque Consultative Council members, and the handing over of business and income zakat.
Present at the event were Perak Chief Minister Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Zahidi Wan Teh, MAIPk President Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini, and Director of the Perak Islamic Religious Department Datuk Harith Fadzila Abdul Halim.
Sultan Nazrin also recommended that MAIPk, together with the Perak Islamic Religious Department, pioneer public funding initiatives, including establishing a dedicated waqf fund to finance the construction of new mosques. - December 18, 2025
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