Nigeria’s leading faith-based charity organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has commenced its 2019 Zakat Distribution Exercise with the disbursement of over N32 Million to 53 beneficiaries facing different health-related challenges.
The formal distribution event kicked off with the disbursement of collected Zakat to individuals, religious bodies, health centres, communities and humanitarian organisations after a thorough application and screening process.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr Olagunju Sulayman made the disclosure at a press conference held today, Tuesday, June 25 at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) office of the Foundation.
The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation is an institution established to collect and ensure optimum distribution of the third pillar of Islam, Zakat (compulsory alm tax given to the poor by the rich) and Sadaqat (voluntary alm) to Muslims and non-Muslims as instituted in the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Prince Olagunju noted that commencing the distribution process with the disbursement to applicants with medical issues is in line with the Foundation’s tradition of prioritizing health and restoring the lost hope of the patients towards regaining their health.
Some of the beneficiaries, we reliably gathered, require funds for urgent surgeries and treatments for heart diseases, kidney transplants, stroke, fractures, cancer of the breast and hip replacements, among other health-related issues.
He said, “In line with our tradition to give priority to applicants with medical challenges, we are commencing this year’s Zakat disbursement with a total sum of Thirty Two Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand Naira only (N32,365,000) to just 53 lucky applicants out of the several applications received”.
“The focus of this year’s Zakat distribution is restoring hope to many patients who have lost hope in regaining their health and getting back to being productive members of our society.
“We sincerely feel the pains of those we could not consider after undergoing a series of screening exercises for lack of enough funds. We pray Allah open His door of mercy for them”, he added.
The Managing Director further revealed that, “The next batch of disbursements after today would be for the successful applicants in the South-East and South-South regions of the country, after which we move to the North-Central, while the last batch of this year’s distribution is meant for the successful applicants in the South-West region, which includes Lagos State where we are going to draw the curtain for this year’s Zakat distributions in September, 2019 Insha Allah.
“The distribution exercise is also geared towards providing funds to help set up small scale businesses for applicants without leaving out the petty traders and artisans, while also installing free water projects in about 10 different communities and equipping health centres with essential needs as part of our community development efforts”.
While appreciating their efforts in boosting the Zakat coffers, the Z&S Director further called on the Zakat payers to give out more donations so as to cover more applicants.
“May I use this medium to express our appreciation to all the Zakat payers and appeal for more donations so that we can expand our charity to cover more applicants.
“I have no doubt that all the successful beneficiaries of this year’s Zakat will be praying for the Zakat payers for helping them to overcome their challenges”, he said.
