SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) aims to uplift 94,000 families and improve the living standards of 4,500 individuals out of poverty this year, says its chairman Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail.
He said the body has helped hundreds of thousands of asnaf (zakat recipients) escape poverty, with many now becoming zakat payers who contribute back to the community.
"Our goal for 2025 is to assist 94,000 families and improve the living standards of 4,500 individuals to help them escape the cycle of poverty."
"To achieve this, we are committed to empowering the asnaf group in Selangor with zakat initiatives that promote independent living, not just relying on temporary assistance," he said during the launch of Menara Zakat Sultan Idris Shah on Thursday (Jan 23).
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, officiated the launch of the new LZS headquarters.
Also present was the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
The newly launched Menara Zakat Sultan Idris Shah features a drive-through counter for zakat collection and distribution, offering a convenient option for asnaf and Muzzaki (zakat payers).
Self-service kiosks have also been introduced, simplifying zakat payments and assistance applications.
Syed Anwar said the year 2024 saw LZS support nearly 80,000 asnaf families and over 5,000 mualaf (new converts), including registering 13,000 new families in Selangor to receive zakat assistance.
He added that more than 4,000 zakat recipients have surpassed the minimum sufficiency level (haddul kifayah) and successfully moved out of the asnaf category.
"This is proof of the effectiveness of our efforts through various development programs provided for the asnaf group, including personal development, entrepreneurship, career, and higher education programmes," he said.
To achieve the target, he said it was essential for LZS to enhance operational efficiency to meet increasing demands and complex challenges in providing services to the growing asnaf community.
"After 30 years of dedicated service, for the first time, we are operating under one roof. This step is taken to improve operational management and ensure that our service delivery is of higher quality," he added.
According to him, LZS since 1994 has distributed more than RM11bil to the needy, helping hundreds of thousands of asnaf out of poverty.
