Foundation empower 229 indigent with N6.5m zakat fund
The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, a charitable organisation, has distributed the proceed of Zakat collections, worth N6.5 million in cash and materials to 229 indigent beneficiaries in Osun State.
Materials distributed in Ede on Sunday included sewing machines, deep freezers, generators and clippers among others. The foundation also made cash donations to some aged persons, selected from Ede, Osogbo and their suburbs.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Prince Sulaiman Olagunju said the resources were sourced from Zakat (poor-dues) collected from few rich Muslims in the state. Olagunju said the purpose of Zakat in Islam was to redistribute wealth and eradicate poverty among the indigents in the society, noting that many people have benefited from the programme.
“No fewer than 170 elders, both male and female from Osogbo and Ede received various amounts, just as the youths also benefited from the empowerment exercise across the state. “Payment of zakat is an injunction from Allah to assist the poor and the needy in order to establish a balanced society.
“When the rich show loves to the poor by giving the poor-due from their wealth, the rich will feel secure and the poor will have rest of mind. “They will eschew envy and reciprocate the good gesture by showing love to the rich in return. “This is a veritable means of setting up a just, peaceful and egalitarian society that ensures equity and fairness,” Olagunju said.
He explained that early response by zakat payers would help the foundation to distribute the materials early during Ramadan. Also read Lawmaker donates car-wash centre to empower youths He explained that any Muslim. who has cash amounting to N1,183,030 or farm produce that worth the amount, is entitled to pay Zakat. “Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam, which is a compulsory due that every wealthy Muslim must pay as soon as his or her money reaches Nisab (measure).
“It’s been observed that many wealthy Muslims wrongly equate and misunderstood Sadaqat (voluntary donation or charity) for Zakat but they are two distinct institutions in Islam. “Zakat is meant for the poor and the needy. When collected from the wealthy Muslims, it must be centrally administered to get to the expected beneficiaries in the society.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Administrative Officer of the foundation, Mallam Moshood Olaoye, remarked that the Zakat distribution was part of a week-long humanitarian programme that had featured an Iftar (breaking of fast) for the Ilesa Prison inmates on Thursday, May 17.
“Today’s event will be followed by a presentation of valuable materials to FOMWAN’s Orphanage Home in Osogbo on Monday while another Iftar will be held for the Ile-Ife Prison inmates on Tuesday,” Olaoye said.
He, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians to donate generously to the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, especially in this month of Ramadan to enhance its capacity to further alleviate poverty, empower the masses and bring succour to the poor.
