This study demonstrates literately the importance of social welfare assistant (Zakat) towards the economic development among new convert. As one of the several instruments by Islam, Zakat is important to combat and enhance welfare in the society. It also helps to generate a flow of funds and recruit the necessary manpower. Meanwhile, new convert Muslims has just made the biggest decision of their lives and changed their religion as well as their way of live to one that they are unfamiliar with in many ways. Thus, Zakat plays significant role in enhancing economic development in order 'to win' and 'to soften' the heart of the new convert to follow Islam as a way of life. Previous Islamic scholar agreed that the term new convert also includes non-Muslims, but only for the purpose of turning their hearts to Islam. The objective of this article is to explore the problems of new converts and the contribution of Zakat towards reducing their problems. Qualitative method based on document analysis and interview with recent officer are used in this article. This article is trying to answer the type of problem that new convert are facing and trying to look at Zakat distribution as the solution for their problems. � IDOSI Publications, 2013.

Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam that emphasises the socio-economic development. Any discussion on zakat in the context of worship cannot be disconnected from the socio-economic factor, especially in aiding the underprivileged. The primary purpose of zakat is to redistribute wealth of the society among the poor. Zakat is not purely welfare-oriented that relies on the contribution of the giver but an obligation that must be carried out to qualified recipients. Therefore, it is pertinent that the management of zakat is made efficient to ensure that the rights of the recipients and the society, in general, will not be put in jeopardy. The question is then raised regarding the type of zakat distribution or programmes pertaining to the asnaf Muallaf. The objective of this article is to explore zakat distribution programmes for sustaining muallaf belief (Tauhid) and thoughts (Iman). The methodology of this article is based on qualitative research through document analysis and interview with zakat officer. This article has revealed that a huge amount had been allocated for the development of asnaf Muallaf. It is conclude that, State Islamic Religious Council needs to continuously improve a comprehensive programmes that focus on sustaining the Muallaf belief (Tauhid) and thoughts (Iman). � 2014 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved.

Internet is the most important tool in the era of globalization. Meanwhile the importamce of internet is to disseminate and expand informationrelated to zakat system. Until now, we do not have a technology system for zakat which can disseminate information so quickly that saves time and energy. As such, the use of internet has become a basic skill not only to the individual who is always looking for information but also to all institutions that want to spread information about the organization and their functions through their website. Therefore this article will examine more about the strategies used by the zakat state institutions in Malaysia to disseminate and communicate information about the duty of zakat through the website. In addition, this article attempts to analyze the impact of the development of zakat website in Malaysia by zakat institutions that make the website as the main medium to increase awareness among Muslims about zakat obligations.