SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) has collected a total of RM2.7 million in non-Shariah-compliant funds over the past year, said its chairman Dato’ Salehuddin Saidin.
The collection was derived from financial sources that are not Shariah-based or are deemed unlawful (haram), like interest-bearing transactions and conventional insurance policies.
“At present, RM1.5 million of the non-Shariah-compliant funds have been handed over to Mais to be managed for the benefit of the Muslim community.
“From a legal standpoint, such funds may be utilised for general purposes, such as the construction of community buildings or infrastructure,” he said during the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Mais and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) today.
The ceremony was also witnessed by EPF chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, with Mais represented by its secretary Mohd Sabirin Mohd Sarbini and EPF by its chief operating officer Sazaliza Zainuddin.
Salehuddin added that this marks the first strategic collaboration between Mais and EPF, aimed at strengthening Islamic wealth and financial management in accordance with Shariah principles.
“Through this collaboration, Mais will offer courses on Islamic estate management to EPF personnel, particularly frontliners at EPF branches, via the Mais Baitulmal Academy,” he said.
The MOU also covers efforts to promote the EPF Shariah Savings Account and encourage members to nominate beneficiaries for their savings.
“Mais will also conduct joint promotions to introduce Baitulmal’s products and services, as well as hold briefings or workshops regarding Mais’s eligibility to be named as a nominee for Muslim EPF members.
“It is our duty to encourage Muslims to purify their wealth by contributing to Shariah-compliant accounts,” Salehuddin said.
