The entourage from Perlis Mufti Department visiting Daud at the DUN Complex.
KUCHING: The state government is interested to conduct a study on Perlis’ method of collecting tithes from agricultural produce in accordance with a 1985 Fatwa.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman highlighted yesterday that the government welcomed the suggestion by Perlis Mufti Department.
“However, a study will need to be done as the agriculture sector in Sarawak is not as huge compared to Perlis,” he told reporters after receiving an entourage from the Perlis Mufti Department at the new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here.
On the visit, Daud said it provided an opportunity for Sarawak and Perlis to exchange opinions and knowledge on the administration and management of Islamic affairs in both states.
“We also share with them the scenario in Sarawak where the Muslim community, even though a minority group, has close collaboration with our non-Muslim friends,” he pointed out.
“We also discussed our approach to Islam in Sarawak as it might be different to that of Perlis. We learn from each other so as to strengthen the Muslim community in Malaysia,” he added.
Perlis Mufti Dato Dr Juanda Jaya led the 15-member entourage comprising nine from the National Fatwa Committee to visit numerous Islamic agencies here in conjunction with the 14th Perlis Fatwa Council Committee meeting held here.
“We take the opportunity while attending the meeting to visit several Islamic agencies here such as Tabung Baitulmal, Islamic Council and Department as well as the Mufti Department and Islamic Affairs Department,” he said.
From the meeting that took place on Monday and yesterday, he revealed that the committee had come to a decision to enforce tithes payment for agricultural produce across the state of Perlis in accordance with a 1985 Fatwa.
“This includes all earth produce including agricultural, staple food and non-staple food, paddy, fruits or even marine products. For instance, the popular Harumanis mangoes in Perlis,” he said.
“We will require religious authorities to carry out awareness campaign to tell major Harumanis mango producers their obligation to pay tithes as part of their religious commitment,” he explained.
Its objective, Juanda emphasised, was to raise awareness among the Muslim community on the existence of the provision in Fatwa 1985 and the decisions arrived at in the past especially with regards to tithes payment from agriculture.
“It is hoped that the agricultural produce in the country will continue to increase with the support from the government while the collection of tithes from paddy will continue to go up,” he said.
Considering the good production, Juanda hoped that farmers would come forward and fulfil their religious obligation by paying tithes.
“We encourage the community who intends to pay tithes especially those with huge farms producing Harumanis mangoes to visit the Islamic Council office to learn about the tithes calculation method and how the rates are determined and charged,” he explained.
Juanda emphasised that Islam believes in creating a balanced and stable society through tithing.
“We must know that the tithes collection will be distributed to those who are poor and needy,” he said.