{
  "id": 9773911,
  "title": "Over 5,600 Muslim households receive $2.2 million in cost-of-living support",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/over-5-600-muslim-households-receive-2-2-million-in-cost-of-living",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T13:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/over-5600-muslim-households-receive-2-2-million-in-cost-of-living-support"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 25, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) announced that over 5,600 lower-income Muslim households in Singapore had received $2.2 million in additional cost-of-living support. Each household received a minimum of $120, with larger amounts provided to those with greater financial needs based on their per capita income. This one-off payout, called the cost-of-living support, was funded by zakat contributions from the Muslim community.\n\nThe monthly assistance is available to Muslim Singapore citizens and permanent residents who fall within the bottom 7 percent of national income earners in the country. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad emphasized that some families in the community struggle with everyday expenses, stating that a little extra support can make a significant difference. He expressed gratitude to the community for contributing zakat funds to help those in need.\n\nMUIS stated that the payout demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that zakat assistance remains responsive to the changing needs of beneficiaries and complements Singapore's broader social support ecosystem. Chief Executive Kadir Maideen highlighted the strength of zakat and the community's shared responsibility in caring for one another, noting that MUIS remains committed to providing timely and appropriate support alongside the government and community partners. In 2025, a total of $74.7 million in zakat funds was disbursed to eligible beneficiaries across eight categories, with at least 40 percent directed towards underprivileged beneficiaries such as destitute and poor individuals.",
  "summary": "As part of a special, one-off payout called the cost-of-living support, each household received at least $120.",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 5,600 Muslim households in Singapore received $2.2 million in cost-of-living support.",
    "Each household got a minimum of $120, with larger amounts for those with greater financial needs.",
    "Support funded by zakat contributions from the Muslim community."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}