For 185 widows battling the emotional and economic realities of life after losing their spouses, this year’s International Widows’ Day came with renewed hope as the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation disbursed over N37 million to support their livelihoods and family needs.
The beneficiaries received a total of N37.035 million and empowerment items, including deep freezers, grinding machines and other business support tools, during the Foundation’s annual zakat distribution ceremony held at HajjMabrur Hall, Anthony, Lagos, as part of activities commemorating the 2026 International Widows’ Day.
The intervention, aimed at empowering widows and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity, drew Islamic scholars, community leaders, zakat payers, donors, partners, volunteers and beneficiaries from different parts of the state.
Muslim News gathered that International Widows Day, an initiative of the United Nations, is observed annually on June 23 to draw global attention to the social, economic and legal challenges faced by widows, including poverty, discrimination, property dispossession and limited access to support systems.
Celebrates impact of widows empowerment initiative
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Prince Olagunju Sulayman, described the gathering as a demonstration of compassion, responsibility and the transformative impact of charitable giving.
According to him, the programme goes beyond the distribution of financial assistance, serving as a platform for restoring hope, empowering widows and creating opportunities for them to become economically self reliant.
“The objective of this initiative goes beyond financial assistance. It is about empowering widows, restoring confidence and creating opportunities for them and their families to thrive,” he said.
Prince Sulayman noted that the Foundation has recorded encouraging success stories over the years, with several beneficiaries using previous interventions to improve their living conditions and secure a better future for their families.
He disclosed that some widows had successfully established and sustained businesses, returned their children to school, improved family welfare and, in some cases, remarried and rebuilt their lives.
“This year’s programme is particularly significant as we are supporting 185 widows with a total sum of Thirty Seven Million, Thirty Five Thousand Naira (N37,035,000),” he said.
Commends donors, calls for greater support for vulnerable families
The Foundation’s chief executive attributed the achievement to the generosity of zakat payers, donors and supporters who have continued to place their trust in the organisation.
He expressed appreciation to contributors, saying their donations had brought relief, hope and positive change to hundreds of households.
“We sincerely appreciate all our zakat payers and donors for their sacrifices and generosity. Your contributions have brought hope, relief and positive change to many lives. May Allah reward you abundantly, increase your wealth and accept your acts of worship,” Primce Sulayman added.
He also appealed to wealthy individuals, business owners and other people of means to support the Foundation through zakat and sadaqat contributions, stressing that greater support would enable the organisation to reach more vulnerable families.
“The needs within our communities are great, and with more support, we can reach more widows, empower more families and create even greater impact,” he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Prince Sulayman praised their resilience and perseverance despite the challenges associated with widowhood.
“To our dear widows, we celebrate your strength, patience and resilience. We pray that Allah continues to bless your homes, ease your challenges and grant you success and happiness,” he said.
Widows can rewrite their stories through faith, says psychologist
One of the highlights of the event was a mental health session delivered by clinical psychologist and trauma informed care therapist, Hajia Nafisa Ogunbona, who urged widows to embrace faith, positive thinking and resilience in overcoming grief and life’s challenges.
Hajia Ogunbona described mental health as a state of wellbeing that shapes how individuals think, feel and function in society.
She explained that the loss of a spouse often triggers emotional distress, frustration and hopelessness, leaving many widows struggling to see a future beyond their pain.
According to her, one of the greatest challenges facing widows is the belief that happiness may never return after a significant loss.
“We give widows hope. We let them know that what happened to them is not the end. It is an opportunity to rewrite the script and move forward with faith,” she said.
The psychologist encouraged widows to become more conscious of their thought patterns, warning that life challenges often give rise to unhealthy thinking that can worsen emotional suffering.
Warns widows against hopelessness after loss
She identified self blame, hopelessness and negative assumptions about the future as common thinking patterns that hinder recovery and personal growth.
“Sometimes people ask, ‘Why did Allah choose me for this challenge?’ But Allah knows our capacity. We are capable of overcoming these difficulties. What we need is to focus on what we can do to make life meaningful again,” Hajia Ogunbona said.
She also reminded widows that their identities extend beyond being wives, urging them to embrace their other roles as mothers, caregivers, entrepreneurs and contributors to society.
According to her, recognising these responsibilities can help restore confidence and motivate them to rebuild their lives.
Hajia Ogunbona described the Foundation’s financial support as a critical intervention, noting that grief is often compounded by economic hardship.
“Apart from the emotional challenges, there is also the financial burden. Many widows worry about caring for their children, paying bills and rebuilding their lives. Support like this can go a long way in helping them regain stability and hope,” she said.
She added that access to financial resources would enable beneficiaries to restart businesses, support their families and improve their overall wellbeing.
The psychologist commended the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for combining emotional support with practical assistance, describing the intervention as a model for helping vulnerable members of society regain confidence and economic stability.
Widows hail Foundation’s support, seek sustained empowerment initiatives
Beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to the Foundation and its donors, saying the support would help ease their financial burdens and improve their living conditions.
They also called for sustained support for widows through charitable giving, economic empowerment programmes and social welfare initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of vulnerable families.
The annual programme formed part of activities marking International Widows Day 2026 and reinforced the importance of collective responsibility in supporting widows and other vulnerable members of society.
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