BANGI, 9 July 2025 – Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS), in collaboration with the Zakat Collection Centre–MAIWP (PPZ-MAIWP) and the Department of Wakaf, Zakat and Hajj (JAWHAR), continues to drive the national zakat empowerment agenda through the inaugural Ijtimak Duat dan Asatizah Zakat (IjDAZ) 2025, held over two days in Bangi, Selangor.

Under the theme “Towards Strengthening Shariah Governance and Dakwah among Zakat Amil in Malaysia”, the program gathered nearly 200 duat and asatizah from across the country, serving as the first structured platform to unify the strength of zakat shariah and dakwah in a practical manner aligned with current realities.

The IjDAZ opening ceremony was officiated by the Director-General of JAWHAR, Dato’ Selamat Paigo, representing the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dato’ Setia Dr. Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. In the minister’s speech, read on his behalf, IjDAZ was described as a crucial platform to drive coordination and unity among national zakat operators. The program goes beyond a regular annual event, carrying significant value for the development of zakat institutions in Malaysia, particularly in strengthening fatwa, dakwah, and more efficient collection and distribution approaches.

The speech also emphasized that IjDAZ signals the clear need to harmonize zakat shariah and dakwah approaches nationwide. It provides a meaningful collaborative space to advance the excellence of zakat institutions collectively, in line with the national aspiration to strengthen the ummah’s empowerment ecosystem.

IjDAZ is not only an academic gathering but also designed as an integrated platform to enhance collaboration among zakat institutions, align shariah understanding, and improve the implementation of zakat dakwah comprehensively.

The program also bridges gaps between states by uniting the voices of amilin, exchanging approaches, and strengthening networks through coordination with JAWHAR, State Zakat Management Councils (MPZN), State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN), and Zakat Management Agencies (AMZ).

According to LZS Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Khaidzir Shahari, IjDAZ serves as an action platform that builds shared understanding and strengthens the unity of amilin in facing real zakat management challenges. He emphasized the importance of harmonizing knowledge, experience, and practical approaches to ensure zakat institutions remain relevant and trusted by society.

The two-day program was carefully structured with strategic sessions featuring key figures such as LZS Shariah Advisory Committee member, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aznan Hasan, who presented on the importance of shariah knowledge and skills among zakat amilin.

The ‘Bicara IjDAZ’ session showcased insights from representatives of Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah (LZNK), Majlis Agama Islam Kelantan (MAIK), and Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Sembilan (MAINS), discussing challenges and hopes in developing credible zakat dakwah leaders.

The ‘Best Practice’ sharing by LZS and PPZ-MAIWP focused on the implementation of shariah governance and zakat dakwah at the state level. Additionally, discussion sessions and roundtable presentations were conducted by PPZ-MAIWP representatives.

Special lectures on business zakat fiqh were delivered by Selangor State Mufti, Dato’ Setia Dr. Anhar Opir, alongside a joint resolution presentation by MPZN Chairman cum Chief Executive Officer of Pahang Zakat and Wakaf Collection Centre, Mohd Azmi Othman, as an initial step towards a more structured and comprehensive national alignment. The close collaboration between LZS, PPZ-MAIWP, and JAWHAR highlights the potential for greater synergy in the future.

Also present at the event were LZS Deputy Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Ambrin Buang, and Selangor State Mufti cum LZS Shariah Advisory Committee Chairman, Dato’ Setia Dr. Anhar Opir, alongside PPZ-MAIWP Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Abdul Hakim Amir Osman, and Acting Chief Executive Officer of MAIWP, Datuk Mohd Nizam Yahya.