SHAH ALAM: About 73,000 families in Selangor are registered as asnaf, or zakat recipients, with the majority of them in urban areas
Lembaga Zakat Selangor chief operating officer Ahmad Fadhil Hassan said 70 per cent of asnaf households were in urban centres such as Petaling Jaya and Klang.
He said this was in stark contrast to the rural-majority demographics of the past, showing a shift in Selangor's poverty trend.
"The trend has shifted slightly. Ten to 15 years ago, most asnaf were in rural or remote areas.
"However, we now see that 70 per cent of asnaf are in urban areas, such as Petaling Jaya and Klang."
He said this at a press conference after the launch of LZS's "Sama-Sama Kongsi 2024" campaign, here today.
Fadhil said the need for financial aid was growing, with asnaf registrations increasing by 10,000 to 12,000 annually.
To meet this growing need, LZS is ramping up its aid distribution efforts as December is a peak month for zakat payments.
"Typically, 30 to 40 per cent of the year's total collection come in December.
"To facilitate this, all LZS branches will operate seven days a week, including public holidays, throughout December.
"December is critical for us, and we are making every effort to make it convenient for zakat payers to fulfil their obligations," he said.
Fadhil called on those eligible to pay zakat to take action and help ease the burden of the urban poor.
"We estimate that there are about a million individuals capable of paying zakat who have not done so.
"There may be various reasons for this, but this is our way of encouraging them to fulfil their zakat obligations.
"This is crucial, as the need for aid among asnaf in Selangor is very significant.
"God willing, the year-end collection drive will help LZS achieve its December target of RM400 million."