New Shelter for Muslim Converts in Kuala Lumpur to open in 2015

Putrajaya - Pusat Darul Hidayah, which will function as a well-equipped shelter for Muslim converts, will open in Jalan Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, next year, Bernama news agency reported.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the shelter, managed by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), could accommodate 300 people at a time.

The Darul Hidayah Centre will replace the existing shelter in a building in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, rented by MAIWP.

""When the centre moves to its own building, it will be able to conduct religious classes in a more systematic manner for Muslim converts, besides having other facilities like a surau, dining hall and lodging.

"Building the new centre (shelter) costs about RM18 million," said Jamil Khir, who is also MAIWP chairman, at the handing-over of business zakat collections.

He said the opening of Pusat Darul Hidayah was an innovative move by MAIWP in managing the zakat collection instead of just focusing on giving financial aid to the eight groups deserving zakat payments.

On zakat collection by MAIWP, Jamil Khir said the collection was higher at RM431 million to date, compared to the RM366 million collected in the same period last year, with zakat amounting to RM65 million so far collected from businesses this year.

He said the number of business zakat contributors in the January-November 2014 period had increased by 18 percent to 1,872.