Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (seated centre) in a group photo with distinguished guests and other delegates during the conference. — Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (Oct 15): Malaysia is ready to host the Permanent Secretariat of the World Zakat and Waqf Forum (WZWF), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening global cooperation in Islamic social finance.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s institutions and people are prepared to carry the amanah of transforming zakat and waqf (endowment) into global instruments of justice, innovation, and sustainable development.
“Malaysia stands ready — with full confidence that our enterprises, institutions, and people will extend their unwavering support — for the current Secretariat to be established here as the Permanent Secretariat of the World Zakat and Waqf Forum.
“In Malaysia, WZWF will find a home that is stable, dynamic, and firmly committed to carrying this noble amanah forward. Together, we will ensure that the New Global Zakat and Waqf Order takes root in real action, leaves a lasting legacy, and safeguards the future of generations yet to come,” he said.
Anwar’s keynote address, themed ‘New Transformational Destiny (Tajdid) for Waqf and Zakat within the Emerging Global Social Development Polarity’, was delivered on his behalf by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dato Setia Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar during the closing of the 14th WZWF Annual Meeting and International Conference at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.
Anwar said Malaysia’s Madani Vision seeks to restore Islam’s worldview as a framework for future governance and development.
“It calls for the return of adab — ethics, respect, dignity — as a perennial framework for governance. It urges us to align technology with morality, to balance economics with justice, and to temper globalisation with solidarity,” he said.
He stressed that the WZWF must evolve beyond dialogue into a global think tank that sets benchmarks and guides governments in advancing zakat and waqf as drivers of social and economic transformation.
“Zakat and waqf are not merely financial tools; they are the pillars of our civilisation. Together, they are more than charity — they are a vision for justice,” he said.
Anwar urged Muslim nations to embrace tajdid (renewal) by harnessing science and technology ― including artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain ― to strengthen transparency and efficiency.
“Our renewal must embrace science and technology, not fear them. But we must be guided by what I call our supreme AI — Al-Qur’an Intelligence,” he said.
He also called for unity within the ummah (society), warning that internal weaknesses such as disunity and complacency hinder progress.
“If politics divides us, let zakat and waqf unite us,” he said, adding that the WZWF should serve as a moral voice for justice and compassion.
Anwar thanked the Sarawak Government, Majlis Islam Sarawak, and Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak for hosting the forum, describing Sarawak as ‘a symbol of harmony between tradition and modernity’.
“May this conference mark the dawn of a new era — one of East–West harmony, unity in the ummah, and enduring success for mankind,” he said.
He concluded by calling on Muslims to rise as architects of knowledge and civilisation, to harness the wealth of zakat and waqf as engines of justice and innovation, and to unite as one ummah with a shared purpose to serve humanity.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Hall and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datuk Misnu Taha; World Zakat & Waqf Forum Malaysia secretary general Datuk Dr Mohd Ghazali Md Noor; and Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak general manager Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Nailie.
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