Latest news with #MohdNa'imMokhtar
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Many pilgrims decline Haj subsidy as awareness grows
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of Malaysian pilgrims opting out of Haj subsidies has risen over the past two years, reflecting increased awareness of financial readiness as a key requirement for the pilgrimage. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar revealed the trend in Parliament today, noting a decline in subsidy uptake among B40 and M40 groups. 'Tabung Haji (TH) is making efforts to explain to Muslims the link between Haj and the condition of affordability. 'Beginning in 2022, the subsidies provided by TH to B40 and M40 pilgrims have been decreasing... this is an effort to educate Muslims on the obligation of Haj,' he said. A total of 396 pilgrims declined subsidies in 2023, followed by 263 in 2024. Mohd Na'im attributed this shift to a growing understanding that performing Haj should only be undertaken when financially capable. The trend has also benefited TH's financial health, with dividend payouts rising to 3.25 per cent last year. On Haj costs and quotas, Mohd Na'im confirmed no price increase for Muassasah pilgrims this year, with fees remaining at RM33,300 per person. Malaysia's official Haj quota, set at 31,600 annually by Saudi Arabia, has been fully utilised from 2020 to 2025. However, in 2022, pandemic restrictions reduced the quota to 14,306 pilgrims. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Many Pilgrims Opt To Decline Haj Subsidy – Mohd Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) – The provision of Haj subsidies for B40 and M40 groups has shown a decline over the past two years, as many pilgrims have voluntarily chosen to reject the assistance, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the rejection stemmed from the growing awareness among Muslims that performing the fifth Pillar of Islam must be based on financial ability. 'Tabung Haji (TH) is making efforts to explain to Muslims the link between Haj and the condition of affordability. Beginning in 2022, the subsidies provided by TH to B40 and M40 pilgrims have been decreasing... this is an effort to educate Muslims on the obligation of Haj. '... a total of 396 (in 2023) and 263 (in 2024) voluntarily rejected the assistance... they did not wish to accept any form of subsidy or Haj aid provided,' he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the suggestion of channelling TH's profit returns as subsidised assistance to pilgrims in need. Mohd Na'im said the rejection of subsidies also had a positive impact on TH's financial performance, with its dividend distribution rising to 3.25 per cent last year. Answering Ahmad Marzuk's original question regarding the increase in costs and the Haj quota, he said there has been no rise in Haj cost for Muassasah pilgrims this year, with the amount remaining the same as last year at RM33,300 per pilgrim. As for the Haj quota, he said there were no unused official Haj quotas for the period from 2020 to 2025. 'The official annual Haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government is 31,600, based on a resolution by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which stipulates one per cent of a country's Muslim population.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's haj quota unchanged, no cost increase for 2025, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: No additional haj quota was granted by the Saudi government to any country, including Malaysia, for this year's pilgrimage season, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the additional quota had only been provided to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) during the previous year and had been fully utilised, including by authorised haj organisers. Na'im also said that no Malaysian official haj quota has gone unused from 2020 up to this year. "The official annual haj quota allocated by the Saudi government to Malaysia is 31,600 pilgrims. "This is based on the decision by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which sets the quota at 0.1 per cent of a country's Muslim population. "Meanwhile, there is no increase in haj costs for the year 2025, with the amount remaining the same as the previous year at RM33,300," he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Na'im said this in response to Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who enquired on the justification for the increase in haj costs for 2025, the status of TH investments, and the number of unused haj quotas allocated to Malaysia from 2020 to 2025. Commenting further, Na'im said TH's 3.25 per cent profit distribution for the 2024 financial year, the highest in the past seven years, was due to pilgrims voluntarily rejecting haj financial aid. He added that 263 pilgrims declined the haj subsidy last year, while 396 rejected it in 2023. "As a result, we received a relatively higher dividend for last year, due to both the returns on investment and the savings from the rejected haj subsidies," he said. Na'im added that the government is also exploring a proposal to place matters relating to umrah under the jurisdiction of TH instead of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) to curb fraudulent agents offering fake umrah packages, though he does not view it as a major issue. He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) regarding the need to curb fraudulent agents offering fake haj packages, which recently led to 47 pilgrims being stranded. Na'im also said the government has established a special committee involving the police, TH and Motac, aimed at preventing any individual or company from arranging haj trips without proper permits. "As for the question of whether umrah falls under the jurisdiction of Motac or TH, I do not see it as an issue. "While we are discussing the best way forward, including the possibility of placing umrah under TH, that is something we can explore further in discussions with Motac, but what is more pressing is the awareness of the public. "If we receive credible information, we can act to stop such attempts. However, in the case of the 47 stranded pilgrims, we were unable to stop them because they were travelling to other countries. "That group appeared to be on holiday to countries like Turkiye or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and from there, proceeded to Makkah to perform the haj," he said.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Halaqah Ilmu Perdana To Serve As Platform For Islamic Enlightenment
PUTRAJAYA, July 19 (Bernama) -- The newly launched Halaqah Ilmu Perdana will be held as a recurring series and serve as a platform for Islamic enlightenment delivered with wisdom, moderation and relevance, in line with the Malaysia MADANI vision. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the initiative is led by the Federal Territories Mufti Office, in collaboration with Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM), the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and other religious agencies. 'The halaqah is envisioned as a space for tarbiyah (nurturing), to shape a MADANI society grounded in knowledge and decorum,' he said at the Malaysia Bermunajat 2025 programme here tonight.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mohd Na'im calls for ulama to guide government on Muslim affairs
PUTRAJAYA: Ulama have been urged to continue playing an active role by offering views, suggestions, and criticisms to the government on matters concerning Muslim interests in Malaysia. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar stressed the importance of strengthening ties between religious scholars and national leaders to ensure the country progresses on the right path. 'If there are issues that require advice or criticism, we (the government) are open to it,' he said after officiating the National Umara'-Ulama' Pondok Dialogue (UMRAN) 2025 at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque. The three-day event, themed 'Fiqh Mizan in Driving the MADANI Ummah', gathered 200 pondok teachers and scholars nationwide. Mohd Na'im highlighted that the dialogue aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's vision for pondok ulama to contribute actively to national policies. He added that his ministry plans to hold UMRAN regularly, providing a platform for scholars to exchange ideas and strengthen networking among pondok institutions. 'This meeting will reinforce their role in society,' he said. Mohd Na'im also called for modernizing pondok education while preserving its core values. Proposed reforms include enhancing teachers' understanding of global issues, exposing students to technology and foreign languages, and improving institutional safety and cooperation. 'UMRAN serves as a bridge between Islamic jurisprudence and governance, ensuring ulama's voices influence national policies and development remains syariah-guided,' he said. - Bernama
