KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) continued its efforts to promote educational development among poor urban children by opening the third Selangor Al-Biruni Zakat Innovation and Learning Centre at Enggang Flats, Bandar Kinrara, near here.
LZS chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Sabirin Mohd Sarbini said LZS, in collaboration with Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad and Etiqa General Takaful Berhad, renovated two apartment units owned by LZS according to the concept and requirements, and equipped them with computers, reading rooms, study rooms, and comfortable lounge areas.
“Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad and Etiqa General Takaful Berhad contributed RM640,000, which includes the cost of renovation and purchase of equipment and utensils, including operational management costs for a period of two years,” he said at the opening ceremony of the centre here today.
Also present were Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad CEO Zafri Ab Halim, Etiqa General Takaful Berhad CEPO Shahrul Azuan Mohamed, Selangor Mufti-cum-LZS Committee Member Datuk Anhar Opir, and Terengganu Mufti Associate Professor Mohamad Sabri Haron, who is also the Etiqa Takaful Group syariah committee.
Mohd Sabirin said Al-Biruni Zakat Selangor was developed under the LZS Urban Poor Children Development Programme, which aims to curb the problem of social problems and improve educational facilities by creating a safe and conducive space and environment for the city’s poor children to meet and learn.
He said LZS also collaborates with ADAB Youth Garage (AYG), which is responsible for regulating operations and carrying out activities that have been planned annually.
“AYG study found that children who dropped out due to lack of interest, failed to master reading, writing and counting (3M) skills. To address this problem, the 3M Intervention Class programme will be implemented in all Al-Biruni Zakat Selangor, including Desa Menteri, Petaling Jaya, and Tanjong Karang,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zafri said the contribution channelled through LZS was part of Etiqa Takaful’s annual zakat given directly to eligible welfare institutions under the Etiqa Takaful Corporate Zakat Responsibility programme
“It is hoped that this innovation and learning centre can be utilised and maintained as best as possible by the children involved and this contribution will encourage them to learn more diligently for a brighter future,” he said.
— Bernama
