By Muftau Ogunyemi
Zakat and Zadaqat Foundation under the Muslim Congress (TMC) says it has distributed cash and items worth N40.9 million to less privileged people in six states in three months.
Mr Sulayman Olagunju, the Executive Director of the foundation, made the disclosure on Monday while disbursing cash and equipment worth N1.7 million to 42 people in Akure.
He listed the benefiting states as Lagos, Osun, Edo, Delta, Ogun and Ekiti.
Olagunju said that the gesture was to eradicate poverty and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor in the society.
The executive director, who said that the foundation started 18 years ago in Lagos State, explained that beneficiaries cut across those who have medical issues and those in need of equipment, school fees and many other challenges.
According to him, the foundation is a charity organisation that collects Zakkat (alms) from the rich and distribute it to the less privileged in the society.
Zakat is one of the most important pillars of Islam. It is mandatory for every Muslim who is financially stable to pay zakat to the poor and needy.
“This year’s zakat distribution started in March in Lagos State where about 75 people from different parts of the country were given medical support to the tune of N27.5 million and their challenges range from Cancer, Surgery, Diabetes, and many others.
“Immediately after the March exercise, we moved to Osun to distribute about N7.3 million to indigent people while we sank four boreholes in different communities n the month of April.
“We moved from Osun to Delta where we distributed a sum of N1.5 million to 97 beneficiaries. In Edo, we distributed N1.7 million while we distributed the sum of N1.2 million in Ekitit last Saturday.
“Here in Ondo State, we have distributed N1.7 million to 42 people. Cash gifts ranging from N25,000 to N120,000 were given to 31 beneficiaries for various issues while 11 people got equipment to enhance their works and businesses,” he said.
He, therefore, admonished rich individuals, especially Muslim legislators, to come up with their Zakkat and contribute to the development of the society, saying that Zakkat is compulsory in Islam and Allah would not forgive those who have and refused to pay their it.
” If you have money and you don’t pay your Zakkat, you are risking your hereafter and possibility of losing your wealth as well.
“Because Allah says there is a portion for the poor in every provision He gives the rich. So, if they come and pay this money most of the problems we have in this country will reduce.
“The earlier we wake up to these responsibility the better it is for the country and all of us,”he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Baderinwa Waheed, appreciated the foundation for the gesture and promised that all equipment and money received would be used judiciously.
In his speech, Alhaji Hakeem Yayi-Akorede, Chief Imam of Akure, who appreciated the foundation on behalf of Muslims in the state, called on wealthy individuals to emulate the organisers by cultivating the habit of giving to the society.
“This is what Islam is teaching us to do. We should not rely on government alone and we should always strive to be our brothers’ keepers by making sure we help them when they are in need.
“I am assuring you that before 2019, we Muslims of Akure and Ondo states in general, are going to come up with a similar scheme to help our people out of poverty,” Yayi-Akorede said.
NAN reports that items distributed include sewing machines, grinding machines; generators; laptops; printers; computers; vulcaniser and many other equipment.
NAN also recalls that the Foundation had disbursed N1 million to 31 beneficiaries in 2017 as the first Zakkat distribution in the state. (NAN)
Edited by Muftau Adediran/Tukur Muntari.
