Zakat: Lekki Muslim Ummah uplifts 200 poor, needy, sick with N37m 

…Gifts out 10 Tricycles, 13 motorcycles, 15 deep freezers, 10 sewing machines 

The rich and affluent Muslims should wake up and join forces in performing this charitable obligation – Chairman 

The Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) of Lagos State has disbursed over 37 million Naira to more than 200 beneficiaries at her 2019 Zakat Distribution event held over the weekend.

The distribution exercise held at Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla Multipurpose Hall, Lekki Central Mosque had 79 recipients who benefitted from the Zakat Poverty Alleviation Exercise, 62 Economic Empowerment, 32 Scholarships and Educational Support, 26 health and well-being interventions as well as 4 debt settlements.

Zakat, the third pillar of Islam, is the compulsory alms-tax given by the well-to-do Muslims to the less privileged members of the community to promote the redistribution and more even circulation of wealth amongst the Muslim community.

Speaking at the event, the LEMU Zakat Committee Chairman, Alhaji Yunus Saliu disclosed that over 50 Million Naira was generated for 2019 as against the 40 Million Naira of the preceding year.

He said, “I am pleased to inform this distinguished gathering that LEMU made a remarkable progress in its Zakat collection efforts in year 2018/19. Alhamdulillah, our total collection was over N50 million compared to about N40 million in the preceding year, an impressive increase of 20%.

“The recipients of today’s (Saturday) disbursements fall into five distinct categories. As a reflection of today’s economic situation in Nigeria, the original list of applicants was extraordinarily long. The Committee members had the onerous task of carefully screening the list, using fair bases and criteria to determine genuine cases of need and establish the right priorities”.

“In doing this, the Committee took cognisance of Allah’s injunction for determining beneficiaries, as contained in the Qur’an (Q9 verse 60). The Committee also sought and obtained the Chief Imam’s wise counsel, useful suggestions and guidance from time to time. Ultimately, the centrepiece of our action is poverty alleviation and economic empowerment”, he emphasised.

Speaking further, he added that “It is a thing of joy that a total of 203 beneficiaries will smile home with various gifts. Many of the recipients, courtesy of our donors, will be delighted to go home with cash, while some others will leave this venue in a very happy mood with items such as 10 Tricycles, 13 motorcycles, 15 deep freezers, 10 sewing machines and others.”

“Distinguished listeners, please permit me to remind the rich and affluent Muslims who have not been paying zakat to wake up and join others in performing this charitable obligation, the third pillar of Islam. It is not an option but indeed a compulsory payment that purifies our income and wealth. Just as ablution purifies the body and Salat purifies the soul, Zakah purifies our possessions and makes them pleasing to Allah, the Originator, Owner and Giver of all wealth.

“Your contributions will help to bridge the yawning gap between the rich and the poor, create jobs, give economic empowerment to the less privileged, restore hope, reduce the high number of unemployed youths and adults who roam the streets; and, most importantly reduce crime”.

“Your charitable contributions will help in reducing the hardship and anguish of many poor Nigerians estimated to be over eighty million, living in extreme poverty. It is therefore important for me to stress that the rich and the affluent would not be able to enjoy their wealth comfortably unless they take care of the poor and the needy”, he concluded.

Admonishing the beneficiaries and all present, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu advised that they should use the Zakah judiciously and remain steadfast while paying attention to their Ibadah.

He emphasised that the disbursement is a continuous programme so as to reach more people.

 

In his welcome address, the vice president of LEMU, Dr. AbdulGaniy Labinjo advised beneficiaries not to sell off or misuse items received as they are meant to empower them in order to pay Zakah in nearest future.

He said “Do not sell or misuse whatever you are given. Zakat is meant to empower you and enhance your status so that you can also pay Zakat in the nearest future”.

“I implore you to fear Allah and be fair to the Zakat donors by using the money or items given to you today for the purpose they are meant for”, he cautioned.