RM4.8 MLN NUR RAMADAN AID TO BENEFIT OVER 14,000 IN PENANG

GEORGE TOWN, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Zakat Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) has allocated RM4.8 million for the Nur Ramadan 1447H programme this year, benefiting 14,126 recipients statewide, said MAINPP president Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.

Mohamad, who is also Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, said that of the total allocation, RM3.3 million is for cash assistance while RM1.5 million will be distributed as e-hampers to eligible recipients.

“The assistance involves several categories of recipients, including 4,126 beneficiaries under the monthly financial and food aid scheme,” he said when speaking at the Nur Ramadan 1447H Zakat Distribution Programme at Masjid Al Mustaqhfirin in Bayan Lepas near here.

According to him, each recipient will receive RM800 cash aid credited directly into their bank accounts as well as an e-hamper worth RM100, which can be redeemed using their identity card at designated premises.

“In addition, 10,000 additional recipients have been identified through recommendations from mosque communities statewide, who will receive e-hamper assistance to ensure that more asnaf groups benefit,” he said.

The Nur Ramadan Distribution Programme is among the annual initiatives implemented by Zakat MAINPP as a continued commitment to assisting the asnaf, particularly during the holy month.

Mohamad said the programme was initially focused on the poor and needy asnaf receiving financial and monthly food aid, before being expanded into a more comprehensive assistance initiative to help the needy to better prepare for Ramadan while easing their financial burden.

He said the state government had also allocated RM25.3 million this year for the development of mosques and surau statewide, compared with RM17.670 million last year.

“In addition to structural development and strengthening mosque governance, the state government also emphasises efforts to enliven mosques during Ramadan, with RM265,000 in Ihya’ Ramadan contributions channelled to all mosques in Penang,” he said.

He added that the state government has also provided mosque enrichment contributions to the State Mosque, City Mosque, Tourism Mosque and district mosques statewide, totalling RM1 million.

-- BERNAMA