SHAH ALAM, 3 December 2023 – Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) today celebrated the achievements of asnaf recipients of zakat assistance in the Outstanding Asnaf Awards Ceremony, officiated by LZS Trustee Member, Dato’ Paduka Prof. Emeritus Dr. Muhamad Awang, at a hotel here.

The ceremony recognized the success of 44 zakat asnaf while providing continuous motivation for them to maintain their achievements. This success also serves as inspiration and encouragement for other zakat recipients to strive for excellence and competitiveness in their respective fields.

Of the total, 31 recipients were students from asnaf families who received the Outstanding Student Award for achieving commendable results in major examinations, including the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), and at higher education institutions (IPT).

Meanwhile, LZS also recognized seven mualaf asnaf who successfully exceeded the had ta’lif with full achievement. For information, LZS introduced had ta’lif as a measurement method based on specific criteria and mechanisms to determine when a mualaf has progressed to mukalaf status.

This assessment covers aspects of knowledge and practicing the basic fardhu ain in daily life, demonstrating the success of LZS’s development programs for mualaf in Selangor.

Additionally, three former asnaf who received business assistance from LZS were selected to receive the Successful Entrepreneur Award based on their business perseverance and ability to improve their family’s economic status to the point of becoming zakat contributors to LZS.

They are Joko Azmi Sanin, now an entrepreneur in agriculture; Ahmad Shaharol Hisra Rahmat, who runs a food business; and Jumri Tukachil, also in the food business. Meanwhile, Rahmah Sap received the award in the Outstanding Mualaf Entrepreneur category.

During the same ceremony, LZS presented special awards in the categories of Mualaf Icon 2022 and Smart Asnaf 2022 to Ridzuan Ong Yee Yung and Yusma Yunus, respectively.

Ridzuan Ong Yee Yung was chosen for his excellence in the food business and active involvement in non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He is also an influencer actively spreading da’wah on social media. Yusma Yunus is a former asnaf entrepreneur of LZS who runs a frozen food business and now contributes to LZS as an Assistant Amil Kariah.

All award recipients received cash incentives, plaques, and certificates of appreciation for their excellence.

For the first time, LZS also received the Outstanding Elderly Care Centre Award in Selangor, organized by the Department of Social Welfare (JKM). LZS’s Bait Al-Mawaddah (Elderly Care Centre) received the award based on criteria including skilled staff, clean and safe premises, collaboration with JKM and external agencies, and compliance with JKM and government regulations.

Also present at the event were LZS Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Sabirin Mohd Sarbini, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Selangor, Ismail Kasan, LZS Chief Corporate and Special Projects Officer, Ariffa Ariffin, and LZS Chief Financial Officer, Rapizah Muhammad Sharif.