Azlan Othman, Daniel Lim & Adib Noor
The Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has appointed some 348 new tithe (Zakat) collectors (Amils) during the presentation of credentials across the Sultanate yesterday.
A total of 142 places have been identified. There are 196 Amils at 81 places in Brunei-Muara District; 24 at 15 places in Belait District; 54 at 30 places in Tutong District; and 26 in 12 places in Temburong District.
At MUIB, some 48 Amils comprising officers and staff were appointed to collect tithe from
all districts.
In Brunei-Muara District, the ceremony was held at Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Serusop, where Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar presented the credentials.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar as the Deputy President of MUIB presented the credentials at Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Kampong Manggis Madang.
MUIB Secretary Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Akop said a briefing session will be held to introduce and teach Amils to the method of recording and reporting transactions in the collection of Zakat Fitrah using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program.
“This method of recording transactions of receipts of Zakat Fitrah will take advantage of the existing information technology system, replacing the procedure of preparing the collection reports manually,” Haji Abdul Aziz said.
“It will also simplify and speed up the tasks of Amils in preparing Zakat Fitrah collection reports, because the amount will be calculated automatically, thus helping the MUIB in monitoring the work processes in a systematic way.”
Meanwhile in Tutong District, the event was held at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in the presence of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, who is also a member of MUIB.
In Belait District, appointed Amils received their letters from Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar at the Mohammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait.
Acting Head of Religious Officers in the Belait District Mohammad Noorsuffian bin Haji Yahya said the ceremony served as a reminder to Muslims that the fasting month of Ramadhan is fast approaching, along with the obligation of contributing Zakat Fitrah.
“The 348 Amils comprise Imams, bilals, government officials from the MoRA, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Royal Brunei Police Force, and the Fire and Rescue Department. They are located in 142 areas, with 24 of them placed in 15 areas in the Belait District,” he said.
Mohammad Noorsuffian highlighted that Amils must possess the value of honesty and trustworthiness when collecting Zakat Fitrah, and hoped the ceremony helped to ensure that the trust given to them will be upheld.
Following the speech, MUIB representative Arif Fakhrullah bin Haji A Ramlee presented various points and topics related the use of information technology system in making collection reports.
Meanwhile, a similar ceremony was held at Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District, where Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) at the MoRA Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang presented the credentials to the appointed amils.
Acting Head of Religious Officer in the Temburong District Roslan bin Sulaiman reminded the newly appointed Amils to execute their tasks with accuracy and fulfil their duties with integrity.
