309 PARTICIPANTS COMPLETE MAIWP SKILLS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- A total of 309 participants successfully completed training and skills programmes organised by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) this year, marking a significant step towards empowering individuals in various fields.

They were celebrated at the third MAIWP Graduation and Career Appreciation Ceremony held today, attended by chairman Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer and acting chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nizam Yahya.

Out of the 309 participants, 200 attended the event, where 11 outstanding trainees were recognised with RM500 cash awards and certificates of appreciation for their achievements.

In a move towards inclusivity, 23 visually impaired participants from the Malaysian Organisation for the Development of Blind Entrepreneurs (Perkum) were also honoured. These participants received job offers, highlighting the programme’s commitment to supporting individuals with special needs.

In his speech, Syed Kamarulzaman emphasised the collaborative efforts behind the programme, which involved 12 strategic partners and a total allocation of RM4.43 million.

“All participants have been offered jobs with a minimum salary of RM1,800 per month. This initiative aims to empower asnaf students to become self-reliant, reducing their dependence on tithe assistance,” he said.

He added that the initiative also aims to instill a sense of responsibility among the younger generation, encouraging them to support their families and eventually transition into tithe contributors.

“This aligns with the maqasid syariah, which seeks to uplift tithe recipients from the cycle of poverty, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development,” he added.

Syed Kamarulzaman also highlighted that Islam encourages its followers to actively work towards improving their quality of life, breaking free from poverty, and striving to become tithe payers themselves.

Since its launch in 2022, MAIWP’s asnaf development programme has allocated RM9.37 million, benefiting 6,837 participants through various initiatives.

As of Dec 15 this year, MAIWP has disbursed RM1.006 billion in tithe funds through diverse assistance schemes and asnaf development programmes across Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan.

-- BERNAMA