SMS to pay zakat fitrah

Sumber : The Star Online

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu has started an innovative approach for Muslims to pay their zakat fitrah (tithes) via the hassle-free method of SMS.
This would mean that wherever a person is – in Japan, the United States, Britain or elsewhere – the tithe payer could submit the mandatory alms to the state Islamic affairs authorities with just an SMS.

“The system makes it convenient for Muslims to pay the tithes,” Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh told reporters after launching the service at the office of the Terengganu Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council here on Thursday.

The service is available for those who subscribe to Maxis post-paid numbers (012 and 017), where they just need to type the required information and send it to 39090.

Before Ramadan ends, each Muslim gives tithes to the state in a locally prescribed amount.
The amount for each person, equivalent to the price of a cupak of rice in Malaysia, differs in each state. Terengganu has stipulated three rates of zakat fitrah this year – RM5.50, RM5 and RM4.50 – according to payment on oneself or together with his dependents.

Many Muslims in Ramadan also take this occasion to pay the annual alms, given to the poor and needy, known as zakat harta (2.5% of assets).

Idris said the state government worked with Airocom Technology Bhd to research and develop the SMS tithe-payment system.

He said a receipt number would appear on the mobile phone screen once the message is received.

He added that there were several codes that tithe payers should adhere to, so that the payments would be automatically deducted and channelled to the right network.