Kuala lumpur: Muslims have been urged not to be influenced by calls to boycott zakat and wakaf following reports of encroachment on Muslim cemetery land here. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr. Zulkifli Hasan emphasized the importance of adopting a prudent and compassion-oriented approach, urging focus on promoting good deeds rather than actions that could be detrimental to their own interests.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zulkifli advised against responding to boycott calls, advocating for a more compassionate approach and encouraging positive community efforts. He made these remarks during a press conference after officiating the release of the Malaysian Rahmah Index (IMNR) 2025 Study Report by Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM).

Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin labeled the boycott calls as irresponsible and misleading, pointing out that the encroachment issue in PJS4 is under state jurisdiction and being managed according to legal procedures.

Dr. Zulkifli also noted that while Malaysia is recognized for its Islamic administration, including sectors like halal, hajj, Islamic finance, waqf, and zakat, the public's understanding and appreciation of Islam, particularly its compassion aspect, is still lacking. He highlighted improvements in zakat management, with technology like artificial intelligence enhancing transparency and efficiency.

He expressed hope that the IMNR could act as a catalyst to promote societal thinking rooted in compassion and human values. The IMNR Study Report serves as a benchmark for assessing how well policies and practices align with the concept of compassion, emphasizing human values, well-being, and social harmony. It also provides a comprehensive measure of societal thinking based on the maqasid and compassion approach.