The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has allocated RM885 million this year for management and administration of Islamic missionary activities nationwide.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said it included RM540 million for all states including for the payments of allowances for imam, religious and personal obligation class teachers and district mosques coordination officers.

“This allocation proves the concern of the federal government in ensuring the comfort of the groups who are directly involved in missionary activities at the grassroots level because they are the mainstay in ensuring the continuity of harmony in the local community.

“Their role is becoming more challenging by the day with attacks on the faith from all angles.

“So, it is hoped the allocation can be fully used for various efforts to strengthen Islam at their respective places of work,” he told reporters after opening a state-level Jakim function in Kuala Terengganu today.

- Bernama