SHAH ALAM, Sept 4 — A total of 200 companies are currently eligible to participate in the Selangor Zakat Muzakki Recognition Initiative (IKTIRAF), introduced by the Selangor Zakat Board (Zakat Selangor) to encourage businesses to pay zakat consistently.
Zakat Selangor chief executive officer Mohd Khaidzir Shahari said IKTIRAF is a recognition programme for companies that consistently fulfil their business zakat obligations and meet the stipulated eligibility criteria.
“Through IKTIRAF, eligible companies will receive an IKTIRAF certificate and zakat e-label, and will be listed in the IKTIRAF directory. Companies will be recognised according to their zakat payment category, starting with bronze for payments of RM20,000 and above, up to diamond for payments of RM1 million and above.
“About 44 companies have been listed as IKTIRAF members so far. Companies that receive recognition are also allowed to use the IKTIRAF label on their products and promotional materials for 18 months. When they pay zakat the following year, it will automatically be renewed,” he said.
Mohd Khaidzir was speaking after a high tea with the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah, organised by Zakat Selangor and the Raja Muda of Selangor Foundation at the Shah Alam Club yesterday. The event brought together about 200 zakat contributors from various backgrounds, including young entrepreneurs.
Mohd Khaidzir said business zakat had significant potential for further growth as relatively few companies currently fulfil the obligation.
“Among the various types of zakat is business zakat. Statistically, business zakat is an area that we can develop and expand further.
“Not many companies pay business zakat. So, to encourage companies to do so, we are giving them recognition,” he said.
Meanwhile, D’Herbs Holding Sdn Bhd founder and owner Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman, who received IKTIRAF recognition, said paying zakat was a responsibility for Muslims and a way to share their blessings with those less fortunate.
“As Muslims, one of the reasons we go into business is that we want to succeed both in this world and the hereafter. Within the blessings we receive is a share that belongs to those who are less fortunate.
“I believe that when we give more in charity and zakat, we receive even greater blessings. We have worked with Zakat Selangor for more than 15 years, and IKTIRAF should continue to raise public awareness of companies that pay zakat.
“Having a label like this allows people to know, become more aware of and support companies that pay zakat in Selangor. When we see the zakat payer logo, we know that the product comes from a company that cares about and supports the zakat ecosystem,” he said.
Aliff also expressed his ambition to become one of Selangor’s largest zakat contributors each year, as well as fulfil his dream of building a mosque, madrasah and orphanage in the future.
“Every year, I want to be among the largest zakat contributors in Selangor, the state where I do business. If possible, before I die, I want to have an orphanage, a mosque and a madrasah. That is my dream,” he said.
