The Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, moved its train to Kwara State in the North Central part of Nigeria to distribute Zakat funds among 64 beneficiaries.
The foundation had in the past few weeks successfully disbursed Zakat funds totalling N28,871,050.90 to 327 beneficiaries in Lagos, Ondo, Bauchi and Sokoto States.
With Kwara State joining the list, the disbursement now stands at N34,121,050.90 to a cumulative 391 beneficiaries so far.
Muslim News gathered that it was the first time the foundation would be disbursing Zakat funds in Kwara State, and it was done in partnership with the Al-Husnah Centre for Waqf Affairs, which put in place necessary arrangements for the programme.
Speaking at the Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal, GRA, Ilorin where the disbursement ceremony took place, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, Imam Dr. Abdullahi Shuaib, stated that the policy thrust of the organisation in terms of empathy, care and concern for the spiritual and socio-economic welfare of the less privileged is predicated on the Maqasid al-Shari’ah (Objectives of Shari’ah).
To actualize these objectives, the CEO noted, the foundation uses Zakat fund among other instrumentalities of Islamic social finance to assuage the desire of the less privileged for an improved standard of living.
“Unfortunately, an average person wakes up daily to witness the upsurge in the lack of job opportunities occasioned by the high poverty level, inequality, high inflation, which has adverse effect on household items and high prices of foodstuff among others.
“Be that as it may, the foundation is driven by the Maqasid al-Shari’ah to rescue the less privileged in response to the words of Allah that “The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters) of one another…” Q9:71.
Dr. Shuaib explained that the sum of N5,250,000.00 was earmarked for the disbursement in Kwara State.
According to him, “Economic empowerment is allotted N2,305,000.00 for 41 beneficiaries which represents 43.9 percent; Debt-relief for 14 beneficiaries is allotted N1,145,000.00 representing 21.81 percent and Humanitarian service for 2 persons is allotted N798,000.00 which is about 15.2 percent. Other allotments include Educational support for 3 persons which takes N350,000.00, about 6.62 percent; 2 beneficiaries of Medical support is allotted N200,000.00, about 3.81 percent and Administrative cost of N452,000.00, takes about 8.61 percent.”
Various Zakat items were also doled out to members of the public, including, local oven, baking and rolling pans; 50 crates of eggs; sewing machine; weaving machine; 4 bags of rice; 5 bags of semovita.
Others were: 10 bags of charcoal; phone repairing tools, half bag of yam flour; and several packs of soft drinks.
Earlier in his address, Chairman, Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, Mallam Adamu Bello, CFR, who was represented by Mallam Abidu Yazid, OON, a Trustee of Jaiz Foundation and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Ilorin, welcomed all participants to the event, noting human capital development, economic empowerment and cries of the less privileged people are the concern of Jaiz Foundation as a charitable organisation.
“Our little way of responding to this call is the reason for our gathering today. We are not unaware of the bad economy and worsening situation of the poor and needy. The good thing is that the foundation always strives to be the voice of the voiceless and the hope of the hopeless. It also inspires those in distress and difficulty. Furthermore, it is committed always to wiping off the tears of those in agony and pains,” he said.
The Chairman congratulated the beneficiaries and implored them to put the Zakat funds and items to judicious use for them to thread the path of shared prosperity and financial sustainability in the nearest future.
He also appreciated the Al-Husnah Centre for Waqf Affairs for their partnership in the successful implementation of the Zakat disbursement.
For her part, a Trustee of Jaiz Foundation, Hajiya Amina Ladan-Baki, MON gave the vote of thanks, praising Allah for granting them the favour of witnessing the Zakat disbursement ceremony in Ilorin, Kwara State.
“On behalf of the Board and Management of Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, we appreciate all our Zakat payers without whom this gathering would not have taken place. We thank them for their patronage at all times. We ask Allah to continue to bless their estates and families, Aameen.
“We also extend our profound gratitude to the Chairman of today’s occasion, the Acting Grand Kadi, Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen. We pray your tenure herald many beautiful landmarks and public good to your family and the Ummah generally, Aameen,” she added.
Hajiya Ladan-Baki also lauded the Dr. Abdullahi Saliu Ishola-led Local Organising Committee for their support, while thanking all important guests for their attendance.
Present at the colorful event were: Chairman, Majlis for Zakat, Sadaqah and Waqf, Kwara State, Engr. Sa’ad Belgore; 1st Makama, Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Ibrahim Oniye; a retired Grand Kadi, Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice (Dr.) S.O Muhammad; Associate Professor Abdul-Wahab Elesin of the Islamic Law Department, Kwara State University, Malete; Branch Manager, Jaiz Bank, Ilorin, Alhaji Mustapha Taofeek.
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