Zakat not an option, but a compulsory payment that purifies our income – Chairman
For hundreds of beneficiaries, it was an aura of excitement and fulfilment as the Zakat and Sadaqat Committee of the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) today, Saturday, disbursed cash and materials worth N70 million to needy Muslim families in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The event, an annual project embarked upon by the community, is targeted at economic empowerment and poverty alleviation in the society.
The 2020 Zakat disbursement programme, held at Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla Multipurpose Hall, Lekki Central Mosque Complex, was a result of careful, thorough and painstaking processes that spanned into several months of onerous tasks by the organisers.
Muslim News was on ground to witness the charitable initiative that had in attendance both male and female successful applicants from varying backgrounds.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, LEMU Zakat Committee, Alhaji Yunus Olalekan Saliu hinted that the committee made a remarkable progress this year by realising a 40 percent increase in what was generated last year.
The initiative was meant for the distribution of Zakat to the poor, widowed, needy, sick and less privileged in Lekki community and beyond.
Alhaji Saliu also poured encomiums on the Chief Imam, Lekki Central Mosque, Imam Ridwan Jamiu for his constant support as well as the donors and many others who saw to the success of the programme.
His words read in part, “I am truly honoured and privileged for the opportunity to give a brief address at today’s happy event which is organised by the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) for the distribution of Zakat to the poor, the widowed, the needy, the sick and the less privileged in our community and beyond.
“I am pleased to inform this distinguished gathering that LEMU has made another remarkable progress in its Zakat collection efforts during year 2019/20. Alhamdulillah. In spite of the difficulty of our time, total collection soared to about N70 million compared to about N50 million last year, an impressive increase of about 40%.
“Let me quickly express profound thanks to Imam Ridwan Jamiu, the Chief Imam, Lekki Central Mosque for creating constant and sustained awareness about the importance and the necessity for every eligible Muslim to pay Zakat. He has done a great job. Alhamdulillah!
“My gratitude also goes to Dr. Kamaru Omotoso, President, Lekki Muslim Ummah, Dr. Abdul Ganiyu Olusola Labinjo, Vice President and other members of the executive for their quality leadership and strong support. I am humbled by the display of extraordinary level of interest, commitment, dedication and passion by every member of the Zakat Committee. They deserve our deepest appreciation.
“Please permit me to specially commend Alhaji Qazeem Adedokun, a member of the Committee, for his unparalleled dedication, relentless and painstaking efforts which contributed immensely to the success of today’s event.
“I must say that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lekki Ummah’s Auditor, Alhaji Abdul Razaq Lawal for working extremely hard to ensure that all expenditures and disbursements conform with the laid down procedures and processes. He was very meticulous with his routine checks.”
Muslim News gathered that the beneficiaries of the Zakat project were grouped into five categories: Poverty Alleviation and Economic Empowerment; Scholarships and Educational Support; Accommodation; Health and Well-being, Debt Settlement; COVID-19 Palliative.
Also, different business start-up materials such as sewing machines, generator sets, tricycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, laptops, dispatch bikes were also handed over to beneficiaries.
The Zakat Committee Chairman thanked the donors for their rewarding acts, just as he advised influential Muslims to also inculcate the behaviour of paying Zakat, noting: “It is not an option, but indeed a compulsory payment that purifies our income and wealth”.
According to him, “I take this opportunity to express our profound thanks to all donors for their dutifulness, generosity and magnanimity. They should be very pleased with themselves that they have fulfilled an important religious obligation as sincere and devoted believers, providing great relief to those in need, the widowed, the jobless, the helpless; and putting joy and smiles on the face of today’s beneficiaries. Alhamdulillah!!
“We pray that Allah will recognise and accept your kind deeds, continue to strengthen you, bless you in manifold and grant you goodness in this world and success in the hereafter. Jazakumullahu khairan!
“I wish to acknowledge and truly appreciate the efforts of leaders of Lekki Muslim Ummah Youths who organised “Business start-up training” for selected applicants under the auspices of LEMU Zakat Committee. They have done a marvellous job.
“On behalf of all members of the LEMU Zakat Committee, I would like to reassure all donors that they are in safe hands. I confirm that members of the Zakat Committee are tested and experienced professional men and women who possess honour and unquestionable integrity. We would continue to strive hard to ensure proper accountability and transparency regarding the funds entrusted into our care”.
He reminded the rich and affluent Muslims who have not been paying zakat to wake up and join others in performing what he described as “a charitable obligation, the third pillar of Islam.”
According to him, “I must therefore emphasise that Zakat 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, zakat 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 the many Nigerians estimated to be over eighty million, living in extreme poverty. I would like to stress that the rich and the affluent would not be able to enjoy their wealth comfortably unless they take good care of the poor and the needy.
Alhaji Saliu also congratulated the beneficiaries, urging them to make the best use of what they receive.
He added that those whose expectations were not met this year should remain hopeful as the Zakat distribution is a continuous exercise.
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Alhamdullilah. This is a great project. May Allah continue to bless the payers and increase their wealth…