The Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council (MAINS) has collected zakat (tithe) totalling RM67 million from January to June this year. MAINS chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Aziz Sheikh Ab Kadir said during the same period, RM98 million was distributed to asnaf in the poor, needy, muallaf (new converts), ibnu sabil (wayfarers), fisabilillah (those in the cause of Allah), amil (zakat collectors) and gharimin (debtors) categories. 'Of this amount, RM44 million was allocated to asnaf fisabilillah, the needy (RM22 million), the poor (RM18 million), amil (RM5 million), gharimin (RM1.8 million), muallaf (RM5.6 million) and ibnu sabil (RM23,560). 'In addition, we allocated RM45,000 to reward outstanding students among asnaf children throughout the state,' he told reporters after the Asnaf Children Excellence Award and Business Tithe Presentation Ceremony here last night. Abdul Aziz said MAINS has also provided various educational assistance schemes to ensure that asnaf children have equal opportunities in educati on. He said that 4,345 asnaf, including the poor and needy, received schooling assistance for children in primary and secondary schools, as well as for those pursuing higher education. During the ceremony, 11 corporate companies presented business tithes totalling RM3.7 million to MAINS. According to Abdul Aziz, the zakat funds from these companies not only help alleviate the burden of asnaf children but also give them the opportunity to succeed in education and improve their living standards. He said MAINS has also implemented the Asnaf Children's Training and Career Programme to assist 52 asnaf children for the 2023-2024 session by providing skills training and job opportunities. He noted that the programme aims to offer better opportunities for asnaf to climb out of poverty through skills enhancement and access to quality employment. MAINS and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) also provided a wakalah contribution of RM10,000 in the form of the National Education Savings Scheme (S SPN) accounts to outstanding students in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia and Ujian Penilaian Kelas KAFA (UPKK) 2023 examinations. Source: BERNAMA News Agency