The Mosque Building Fund

Mission

Established by the Chamber in 2008, the Fund collects contributions — including proportional deductions from Zakât — to support the construction of multi-functional mosques addressing religious practice, education, family and youth services and community referrals, particularly in Hong Kong's New Territories. The United Muslim Association of Hong Kong (UMAH) coordinates prioritisation, design and implementation.

Hong Kong is home to a large ethnic-minority Muslim community, yet only five mosques were built during the British era. A new mosque costs at least US$8 million excluding land. Contributions from HK$5 per month are welcomed from employees and employers alike; non-Muslims may contribute voluntarily.

Understanding Zakât

Zakât — literally "to purify" — is one of Islam's major religious obligations: a fixed proportion collected from the surplus wealth and earnings of a Muslim and distributed to prescribed beneficiaries. Every Muslim possessing the equivalent of 85 grams of gold (the nisab) must pay a minimum of 2.5% annually after one complete lunar year (haul).

The eight categories of beneficiaries (Qur'an, Al-Taubah 60)

1. The poor (Faqir) — those without means of livelihood;
2. The needy (Miskeen) — those with insufficient income for necessities;
3. Administrators (Amil) — those managing collection and distribution;
4. Sympathizers (Muallaf) — those inclined toward or new to Islam;
5. Freed slaves (Riqab) — freeing captives;
6. The indebted (Gharimin) — those in genuine financial hardship;
7. In Allah's cause (Fisabilillah) — religious work, education and infrastructure;
8. Stranded travelers (Ibn-u Sabil) — assisting those in difficulty on a journey.

Types of Zakât

Zakât al-Fitr — a one-time annual payment between the first day of Ramadan and the first day of Shawwal: roughly 3 kg of staple food, or its value, per person. Zakât al-Mal — 2.5% annually on qualifying wealth: business, rental income, personal income, savings, gold and silver, shares, livestock and crops.

Governance

Board of Trustees: Mohamed Alli Din, Lord Edwin E. Hitti, Moustapha Abdul-Rassoul and Moufti Faed Bin Nour El-Din — supported by the Shariah Advisory Council, managers Rudi Prenzlin and Gordon Yip, more than thirty registered beneficiary organizations and madrassas across Hong Kong, and over twenty fiduciary scholars and religious leaders.

Contribute or enquire via info@arabcci.org · +852 6110 7777.