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Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Police quiz five over preacher's alleged sharing of explicit videos involving his wives
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Police have recorded statements from five individuals, including the wives of a freelance preacher, as part of investigations into the alleged distribution of intimate videos involving his spouses and other women. Shah Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the 39-year-old suspect remains under investigation, and the case will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor once completed, according to a report published in the New Straits Times today. 'So far, statements from five witnesses have been recorded in connection with this case,' he said when contacted yesterday. The man was arrested on July 5 following a report by his second wife, who claimed he had shared explicit videos featuring her and his other wives. Police had earlier confirmed that two mobile phones and a laptop were seized during the arrest. On Sunday, Selangor Islamic Religious Council chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the council had revoked the preacher's teaching credentials due to alleged criminal conduct dating back to 2022. Salehuddin also confirmed that the Selangor Islamic Religious Department had detained the preacher in September 2024 for preaching without valid credentials.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
S'poreans urged to postpone non-essential travel to areas in Middle East affected by rising tensions
SINGAPORE – Singaporeans are urged to defer non-essential trips to areas affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and adhere to travel advisories by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is because the authorities are concerned over the escalating tensions in the region, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. Speaking to the media at Changi Airport on June 25, Associate Professor Faishal noted that 43 haj pilgrims who were supposed to return to Singapore on a June 23 Scoot flight from Jeddah were affected when the flight was cancelled. An alternative flight via Malaysia Airlines was subsequently arranged, and the pilgrims safely landed back in Singapore on June 25, he said. Scoot had earlier cited operational and safety considerations for cancelling some flights to and from Jeddah, amid military strikes between Israel and Iran. Prof Faishal, who was at the airport to welcome home the final batch of haj pilgrims, said there were also some Singaporeans studying in the Middle East who were stranded after having booked flights home. They included students from Islamic universities in Jordan and Egypt, such as Al-Azhar University. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore has contacted the students, and they are currently on their journey back to Singapore, he added. Prof Faishal said that all Singaporean haj pilgrims who performed their pilgrimage in 2025 have returned to Singapore safely. The haj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place over five or six days. In 2025, Singapore and Saudi Arabia struck a deal to allow 900 slots for Singaporeans to perform the haj pilgrimage. At the airport, Prof Faishal congratulated the Saudi Arabian government for its 'tremendous effort' in organising a successful haj for 1.67 million pilgrims around the world. He also noted that there were about 890 outpatient visits in 2025 to the Singapore Pilgrims' Affairs Office (Spao) in Shisha and Madinah. Spao introduced a hybrid model for medical services in 2024, working closely with a Saudi-based medical service provider and appointing medical professionals to be attached to respective haj travel agents for the medical needs of pilgrims. Prof Faishal said: 'Spao's hybrid model worked well with medical teams from both Singapore and Saudi, and we were able to provide medical attention and quality care to our pilgrims.' Prof Faishal, who took over the Muslim Affairs portfolio from Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli in May, said he has received encouraging feedback from pilgrims and their family members that bus services and facilities in Arafah and Mina, two significant locations in Mecca, have improved. He urged returning pilgrims to continue monitoring their health and to seek medical attention if they feel unwell. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
New Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Zakat fuels social equity and growth
IPOH: Zakat plays a pivotal role as a powerful instrument of social justice, uplifting those in need and narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, the Sultan of Perak said. Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said the collection of zakat has a rich and longstanding history. "Traditionally, it was given directly to religious teachers, who would then distribute it to eligible recipients within their communities. "This approach was rooted in deep trust and faith, but it often lacked proper record-keeping and distribution data. "As a result, it was difficult to track collections and distribution, hindering the full realisation of zakat's intended philosophy and purpose," he said in his speech at the launch of Zakat Perak Al Ridzuan (Zapar) here today. Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and MAIPk president Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini. Sultan Nazrin said a significant transformation in the administration of zakat collection occurred following the British involvement in the governance of the state. He said that responsibilities for Islamic affairs and Malay customs were entrusted to the Ruler at the state level. "This marked the birth of the institution now known as the Majlis Agama Islam (Islamic Religious Council), first established in Kelantan in 1916. "Subsequently, it became the principal institution responsible for managing Islamic affairs, including the collection of zakat, across all states," he said. Sultan Nazrin said the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) was established on 1 Muharram 1369 Hijri, or Oct 23, 1949, under the Perak State Constitution of 1948. "Subsequently, on May 1, 1952, the Perak state government enacted the law to establish MAIPk. "MAIPk plays a pivotal role not only as a religious advisory body to His Royal Highness the Sultan but also as the Baitul Mal, entrusted with managing Islamic funds, particularly zakat and waqf, in Perak," he said. He said that during the first decade of its establishment, the total amount of zakat collected by MAIPk was below RM400,000. "This was due in part to a lack of awareness about the obligation to pay zakat, the small number of Muslims eligible to contribute, and the relatively low amounts being paid. "Additionally, many Muslims still adhered to the traditional practice of paying zakat directly to religious teachers. "At that time, zakat collection was largely limited to zakat fitrah and agricultural produce, particularly from paddy fields in the sub-districts of Sungai Manik, Seberang Perak, and Kerian," he said. He said that in 2004, MAIPk's total zakat collections, encompassing both property and fitrah, stood at RM26.3 million. "Praise be to Allah, by 2024 this amount had surged to RM253,020,010, reflecting a remarkable 858 per cent growth over the past two decades. "The growth in zakat collections can be attributed to six key drivers that have collectively fuelled its remarkable rise. "First, the rising awareness, understanding, and conviction among Muslims regarding their religious obligation to pay zakat. "Second, an increase in income among Muslims, both individuals and those involved in business and agriculture. "Third, government incentives, including income tax rebates and corporate tax deductions for those who fulfil their zakat obligations," he said. He said the fourth factor is the introduction of wakālah, a delegation mechanism that allows payers greater flexibility in discharging their zakat. "Fifth, continuous improvements in zakat management and administration. And sixth, the growing confidence of Muslims in MAIPk to manage and distribute zakat effectively," he said.
