Assabiqun Foundation, an NGO birthed by Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation, has empowered some widows with money to support their businesses and uplift the living standard of the families.
The foundation’s move to cater for the needs of indigent widows in the holy month of Ramadan was the first major programme since inauguration in December 2024.
Muslim News gathered that widows in different states of the federation, including Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Ogun, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, were gifted N100,000 each by the foundation as Ramadan support.
We gave cash to cater for widows’ different needs: Amirah
National Ameerah of Al-Mu’minaat, Builder Jelilah Abdul Hamid, while speaking at the venue of the Lagos disbursement, disclosed that the Ramadan support is the first phase of Assabiqun’s project for widows.
She said the beneficiaries were selected based on their vulnerabilities, adding that they were gifted cash to meet their different needs.
According to her, “We’re starting the initiative with cash support during Ramadan instead of foodstuffs. Needs differ, so we believe in giving cash during the holy month to cater to the respective needs of individuals. However, we’re on our plan to empower more widows, and it’s just unfolding. This is the first phase of our programme. After this, we have other plans for them including their children and other vulnerable Nigerians.”
Hajia Abdul Hamid expressed willingness to collaborate with other foundations and government agencies in a bid to empower more widows.
Explaining moves towards achieving this, she said, “To start with, we met with the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, where we discussed the activities of Al-Mu’minaat, the parent organisation of Assabiqun. We’re still in touch with Her Excellency. We will continue to share our activities with her and seek her input, including on the Assabiqun Foundation.
“What we intend to achieve is an effective collaboration with Her Excellency, and she has been rendering support. She even opened our eyes to some other things we could do during the meeting. So, we’re very optimistic that our collaboration with her will yield results for the good of our target beneficiaries.
“We also look forward to input and collaboration with people in positions of authority, the private sector, and different walks of life.”
…Calls for synergy between government, NGOs
Hajia Nimat Abdul-Quadir, the President of the Foundation’s Governing Council stressed the need for more synergies between government and NGOs in executing poverty alleviation programmes.
She said: “Government and NGOs should synergise to alleviate poverty. We can achieve that through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation. We can collaborate and identify indigent widows for training and support in the ministry.”
Giving reasons for disbursing the money in Ramadan, the immediate past national Amirah of Al-Mu’minaat said: “The month of Ramadan is the month of giving, sharing, and extending generosity around us. As Muslims, we were made to understand that whoever carries out a noble deed in this month will be rewarded in manifolds. So, for our donors to have abundant rewards, we decided to do this in Ramadan.”
We need support from Nigerians to do more for widows – BoT member
Alhaji Taofeek Ibrahim, a BOT member of the Foundation called on Muslims, and well-meaning members of the general public to assist the foundation in doing more to the widows.
He said: “As Muslims, we are to assist and support ourselves in times of need. We need to take care of the widows. The Muslim Ummah should stand by them and their children.
“Whatever we’re able to gather within and outside here, we’ll use it to support widows and less privileged, as they’re all in need of the foundation’s support. So, we need assistance from well-to-do Muslims in society in order to chart the cause of the foundation forward. The foundation has taken upon itself the responsibility of Muslims in general, so we urge Muslims, men, and women alike to aid this cause.”
Beneficiaries appreciate Foundation, donors
Beneficiaries couldn’t hide their happiness as they thanked Almighty Allah and appreciated the foundation for the kind gesture.
Sidiqah Zakariyah, a school teacher who struggles to fend for herself and her children, said: “The process was seamless. I was informed about the programme and they requested my details. I was later asked to come for the benefits.”
Muslimat Adekunle, a mother who has depended solely on her petty grinding business for about two decades, also said: “This programme is a wonderful one. They just want to help us for the sake of the Almighty. May Allah SWT help them in return, and may He continue to elevate them.”
Disbursement in other States
Similar kind gesture was also carried out in other states. For instance, three widows benefited from the kindness of Assabiqun Foundation in Oyo State.
Speaking at the disbursement ceremony, Hajia Fatimah Daud, Secretary Governing Council of the Foundation, said Assabiqun was birthed by an incident that claimed the lives of their members and their children.
The incident, Muslim News gathered, took place along Shagamu-Benin road, while on their way to the December 2022 training programme tagged Al-Mu’minaat Training Forum (ATF).
“That’s why we have launched the foundation to cater for and support widows. This is our first programme and it’s coming in Ramadan and our Prophet (SAW) has enjoined us to give sadaqat and assist the needy, including widows and orphans,” she added.
