MELAKA: The Melaka state government, through the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM), has established an extensive Wakaf Property Development Master Plan aimed at enhancing the effective management of wakaf (endowment) assets and optimise their use in the future.
State Education, Higher Education and Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said that there are currently about 822 wakaf land lots managed by MAIM, covering 319 hectares and, of which, 485 lots or 59 per cent are for general wakaf purposes.
"This includes residential and commercial properties, clinics, hotels, orphanages, halls, agricultural land, vacant land and so on. The remaining 41 per cent, which is 337 land lots, are special wakaf used for mosque, surau, cemetery, religious schools and educational purposes," he told reporters after launching the Wakaf Awareness Seminar in conjunction with the state-level Wakaf Month, which was also attended by the state Mufti Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil.
Acknowledging the importance of wakaf contributions, Rahmad said MAIM has introduced the portal i-waqaf.maim.gov.my, to facilitate cash wakaf donations, catering not only to Muslims in Melaka but also to individuals nationwide.
He added that the proceeds from the wakaf funds would be used for development, healthcare, education and the acquisition or purchase of land for mosque construction and other religious-related projects.
A total of RM3.7 million in wakaf collections was recorded in 2022, while 1.05 million was collected from January to September this year in Melaka. - Bernama