Latest news with #HigherEducationandReligiousAffairsCommittee
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
JAKIM ready to assist Melaka in verifying calligraphy in mosques, surau
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is ready to work with the Islamic religious authorities in Melaka to assist in reviewing and verifying calligraphy in mosques and surau in the state, following claims of spelling errors in the Kufic script for the word 'Allah'. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the move was aimed at ensuring that every calligraphy bearing the holy word displayed in mosques and surau was accurate and in line with Islamic teachings. 'I was made to understand that State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman has instructed all mosques and surau in the state to review their existing calligraphy. 'We are ready to cooperate with the Melaka Islamic Religious Department and the Melaka Islamic Religious Council in this matter,' he told reporters after officiating the Layar Dakwah programme organised by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) here today. At the same time, he advised all mosque and surau committees nationwide to carefully review any calligraphy intended for decoration to ensure it complies with syariah requirements. Mohd Na'im also welcomed the community's concern regarding the issue but hoped that any reprimand would be made in a prudent and constructive manner. 'Do not use words that insult or belittle others. I would like to thank the community for their concern in pointing out the matter. If the khat or calligraphy is inaccurate, we will rectify it,' he said. Yesterday, Rahmad was reported to have said that the Melaka government was investigating allegations of errors in the Kufic script for the word 'Allah' at a mosque in the state. Earlier, a social media influencer had claimed there was an error in the Kufic script at a mosque in Melaka, sparking various reactions from netizens.
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Melaka increases food aid for asnaf, Muslim converts to RM300 monthly
MELAKA: The Melaka government has announced an increase in monthly food assistance for asnaf (those eligible for zakat) and Muslim converts, raising the amount from RM250 to RM300 starting tomorrow. The decision aims to address the rising cost of essential goods and ensure better support for recipients. State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman clarified that hardcore poor recipients under the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) will continue receiving RM400 per month. The food aid scheme, known as 'daruriyah,' allows beneficiaries to collect essential items from 74 designated MAIM suppliers using their identity cards. As of June 24, 7,810 individuals are enrolled in the programme, including 112 from the hardcore poor category and 7,698 from the poor group. Rahmad noted that the aid rate had not been revised in years, prompting the adjustment. Additional assistance schemes have also been enhanced. One-time primary school fee aid for asnaf children has increased from RM70 to RM100, while cash assistance for Muslim converts has risen from RM200 to RM300. New converts will now automatically receive the higher amount. On zakat distribution, Rahmad shared that Melaka collected RM141.37 million last year, with RM151.22 million distributed to asnaf. This year's zakat allocation is projected at RM33.68 million, a 15 per cent increase from RM29.3 million in 2023. 'MAIM remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of the asnaf community and improving the zakat distribution system,' he said, urging contributors to continue supporting MAIM's efforts.
Barnama
30-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Melaka Raises Monthly Food Aid For Asnaf, Muslim Converts To RM300
MELAKA, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government will increase the monthly food assistance scheme for asnaf (those eligible to receive zakat or tithe) and Muslim converts from RM250 to RM300, effective tomorrow. State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said that, however, the aid provided under the same scheme by the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) for the hardcore poor recipients will remain at RM400 per month. He said the monthly food assistance scheme is one of the key aid initiatives by MAIM, under which recipients receive food items using their identity cards at 74 designated MAIM food supplier panels across Melaka. 'As of June 24, a total of 7,810 individuals are receiving assistance under the scheme, also known as 'daruriyah' aid, comprising 112 from the hardcore poor category and 7,698 from the poor group. 'The decision to increase the rate of this assistance was made in response to the rising cost of essential goods, which has impacted the value of items provided to the asnaf. Moreover, this scheme had not seen a rate revision in recent years,' he said in a statement today. He said several other assistance schemes have also seen rate increases, including a one-time primary school fee aid for asnaf children, which has been raised from RM70 to RM100. 'Cash assistance for Muslim converts has been increased from RM200 to RM300. New converts will now automatically receive RM300, up from RM200 previously,' he added. Meanwhile, in another development, Rahmad said Melaka recorded zakat collection of RM141.37 million last year, while zakat distribution to asnaf registered under MAIM totalled RM151.22 million. 'For this year, the zakat allocation is projected at RM33.68 million, an increase of RM4.38 million or 15 per cent compared with last year's allocation of RM29.3 million,' he said.
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Teacher in viral sex video scandal lodges police report over spread of footage
ALOR GAJAH: The school teacher who was fined yesterday for attempting to engage in immoral conduct with a married electrician has lodged a police report after discovering that a video related to the incident had been circulated. District police chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah confirmed that the report was received on May 24. He said the case is being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code for insulting the modesty of a person and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. "Police have examined the mobile phones of the teacher and the electrician but did not find the video in question, which is believed to have already been deleted," he said when contacted. Ashari said investigations were still ongoing. Yesterday, the electrician whose real name is Muhammad Hairul Ezuan Hamzah, the teacher, Nur Fadilah Zainal, pleaded guilty at the Ayer Keroh Syariah High Court to a charge of attempting to commit an immoral act. Both were fined RM5,000 each, in default six months' imprisonment. Meanwhile, Melaka Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the secondary school teacher has been placed at the state Education Department and has not been transferred to another school.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Haj rule violations may lead to national consequences
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians planning to perform haj are reminded to comply with procedures set by the Saudi government, as failure to do so could result not only in individual penalties but also impact the nation. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said Saudi Arabia had previously suspended pilgrims from 14 countries due to visa violations. 'I have issued this warning many times before. Don't let our stubbornness in breaking rules set by the Saudi government to cause problems for other haj pilgrims now and in the future. 'If this happens again, it's not just the individual who will face consequences, but the entire country may be affected. This includes a possible reduction or suspension of our haj quota,' he told reporters after launching the Al-Falah Pavilion at the 46th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair here today. He was commenting on media reports that 63 Malaysians have been deported from Makkah since May 24 for not possessing valid haj visas. Mohd Na'im said such violations could also lead to severe consequences for the individuals involved, including fines of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals and being blacklisted from entering the kingdom for at least five years. However, he said Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has not received any official complaints regarding the deportations so far. Meanwhile, on reports of alcohol parties held at two five-star hotels in Melaka, Mohd Na'im said such events were inappropriate under Islamic law, especially at hotels with halal certifications. 'The organisation of events that go against Islamic teachings such as this should be subject to action by the relevant authorities, especially the body that issued the halal certification,' he said. Yesterday, Melaka Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the state Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) had revoked the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) for two hotels in Banda Hilir, after they were found to have hosted alcohol parties two weeks ago.
