Govt to institutionalise Zakat collection, management : Planning Minister

FE Report
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal Friday stated that government will mobilise Zakat funds  in a structured management if possible under existing system.
"We are looking into the matter, if possible, we will certainly institutionalise Zakat collection and management under existing system," he said while inaugurating third Zakat fair in the city.
Center for Zakat Management(CZM), Muslim Aid Bangladesh, Islamic Relief Bangladesh and Exim Bank jointly organised the two-day third Zakat Fair 2015 at National Shooting Federation Complex in Gulshan-1 in city with the theme 'making a difference with Zakat'.
The inauguration programme was presided over by Former Minister and President of IHMSWA Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) M Nooruddin Khan, while Managing Director of A K Khan & Co. Salahuddin Kasem Khan, convener of the fair and chairman of the Centre for Zakat Management Niaz Rahim, former DCCI President Mohammad Sabur Khan, DCCI Vice President Shoaib Chowdhury, Exim Bank Foundation Secretary General AKM Nurul Fazal Bulbul, CEO of CZM Dr. Mohammad Ayub Miah, CEO, Islamic scholar Dr. Manzur-e-Elahi and Islamic Relief Bangladesh Country Director Shabel Firuz spoke at the event.
The Financial Express and Bangla daily Samakal are media partners at the fair.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Planning Minister said if properly motivated awareness programme can be initiated, current amount of mobilised Zakat would be more than double of around Tk 250 billion.   
He urged all wealthy Muslims to give 'Zakat' as it is a mandatory prayer for them.
AHM Mustafa Kamal said: "I am not sure if a prayer can be institutionalised under existing state machineries, we will talk to concerned academia, visit countries like Malaysia, Indonesia that have institutionalised framework for Zakat, then if possible we would certainly do that."
He said most of the wealthy Muslim population gives Zakat in Bangladesh, it has also significant impact on social development and poverty alleviation; but this has not come under official statistics.
Giving example of himself, the planning minister said he received Zakat during his early day of hardship.
As there were demands for tax exemption of Zakat from distinguished speakers, he said: "We will also look into the matter, we are not sure if Zakat can be tax exempted as it is a prayer."
The Minister said that the Government has allocated a significant portion of fund for poverty alleviation and social safety net program in next year's budget.  
Zakat can play a complimentary support to the government's social safety-net programs.
At the inaugural day the Minister awarded scholarship to Zakat deserving 141 students of various public universities of Dhaka. He also distributed 10 laptops to medical students amongst them.
Salahuddin Kasem Khan  suggested to establish a public private partnership framework for Zakat collection and management.
Niaz Rahim said if Zakat is properly collected and managed it would be very easy to alleviate poverty completely within five to six years.
Former DCCI President Sabur Khan said people of Bangladesh is very emotional and kind, if they are motivated, poverty alleviation  through Zakat fund is very much possible.
Beside the Zakat Consultation Desk, several stalls will display different products hijabs, garments, gift items, books for Zakat recipients.
The Zakat Fair is to open every day from 10:00am to 8:00pm for all.
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