Improving Entrepreneur Skills for Micro Business Nearby Al Syakirin Gombak Mosque Malaysia to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has badly affected micro businesses in Malaysia. The condition is getting better after the Malaysian Government lifted restrictions due to Covid-19 prevention. Al Syakirin Mosque, Gombak Selangor Malaysia, has 345 zakat recipients, some of whom have micro businesses. The micro businesses are mainly located near the mosque. However, a lack of entrepreneurial skills results in prolonged development of their business although Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, raising concerns about achieving SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (no hunger) for the micro business. Meanwhile, there are many opportunities that they can utilize to develop their business, such as obtaining new markets and developing more variety of products. The community service program was conducted in May 2023 in Al Syakirin Mosque Gombak Malaysia in the form of training and consultation on digital marketing and financial management to 26 zakat recipients who have micro businesses or are planning to have micro businesses. Based on the participants’ evaluation in the Google Form, all of them found that the training has improved their knowledge and awareness of digital marketing, halal sources of funds, and preparing and using simple financial reports. In terms of their sales, within three weeks after the training, half of them reported an increase in sales. Based on the interview with participants, this program can reduce the poverty level among participants and educate them with financial literacy knowledge to be independent (SDG 1 on no poverty). This program is also viewed by the participants to be able to help them to open new businesses to avoid hunger and the digital marketing knowledge has opened a broader market to expand their business through the use of it (SDG 2 on no hunger).