Mslims ummah in the world have been called to give compulsory charity “Zakat” to the needy, to eradicate poverty in the society.
Chief Imam Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi made the call in Abuja, at this year’s Maiden Edition of National Zakat Day which titled Zakat: Pivot for Poverty Eradication.
Imam Adeyemi explained that, giving “Zakat” “is one of the five pillars of Islam that eradicates poverty and all forms of criminalities in the society.
“Zakat” as income re-distributed, is not only fundamental pillar of Islam, but also a revolutionary concept which ends extreme poverty, addresses many challenges in the country such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of social vises.”
“Every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount known as “Nisab” he or she must give 2.5 percent of that wealth as Zakat and it is also the right of the needy has over the wealth of the rich regardless of the faiths,” Imam Fouad said.
The guest lecturer Sadaukin Sokoto, Mallam Muhammad Maidoki, stressed the need for legible Muslim to give Zakat to purify their wealth, empower people to ensure peace and socio-economic development in the society.
Mallam Maidoki said; “Zakat was found to be one of the best solutions to eradicate poverty in the society as well as the function of Waqaf institutions which is not only to limited to religious rituals but also important aspect of humanity empowerment of potential public welfare.
“The institutions of Zakat and Waqf are among several instruments instituted by Islam to combat poverty and enhance welfare in the society, while Zakat helps generate a flow of funds and recruit the necessary manpower, Waqf provides material infrastructure and creates a source of revenue, enhance economic activities in the family, society and a State levels.”
Mallam Maidoki, called on government, religious and traditional bodies in the world to urgently recognise and establish Zakat and Waqffoundations to eradicate extreme poverty in the society.
He said; “Some countries in the world are taking responsibility of collecting and distributing Zakat. Yemen is one of those countries where government manage Zakat collection and distribution, currently Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Libya, Pakistan and Sudan are some of the countries that enacted laws to formally collect and distribute Zakat.”
Mallam Maidoki is also the Executive Chairman of Sokoto State Zakat and Waqaf Empowerment Commission.
Today, the foundation disbursed 10 million naira to 102 beneficiaries. These are 69 females and 33 males. Also among them are 5 christians.
Items distributed this year were: cash, barbing equipment, welding, tailoring, pumping, grinding machines, barbing/hear dressing equipment generators, fridges, freezers, and scholarships.
Some of the beneficiaries of the gesture, Miss Salina Danlami, Azizat Shonola, and Mulikat Yusuf expressed their delight and determination to effectively utilise the opportunity to expand their businesses.
The Al-Habibiyyah Zakat and Empowerment Foundation which was established in 2009, has been collecting and distributing Zakat periodically to some of the selected beneficiaries in compliance with Islamic injunction.
Since the inception, the foundation has collected and distributed over N60m of Zakat to various categories of beneficiaries.
