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By Muftau Ogunyemi
Akure: Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Ondo State Chapter, has empowered 18 widows and other less-privileged people with cash and items worth N3 million in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ZSF, an Islamic foundation, distributed sewing machines, grinding machines, deep freezers, refrigerators, among others.
Alhaji Abdulwasl’ Aliu, the foundation’s State Coordinator, at the distribution on Monday in Akure, said the gesture was to wipe out poverty in the society and country at large.
NAN reports that the theme of the event was “Zakat Social Responsibility: Strengthening Economic Security, Community Cohesion, and National Peace”.
Aliu said the foundation had been in existence for more than 25 years in the country and 10 years in the state.
The state coordinator appreciated the donors from Nigeria and diaspora.
According to him, the foundation as a charity organisation, collects zakat (alms) from those who have and give to the less-privileged in society.
“We collect from the people that have mercy for the less-privileged after we have conducted thorough interviews to know and identify their real needs.
“We have about 18 that benefitted. The widows take the largest percentage of the items and the cash to mark the their week celebration,” he said.
In his welcome address, Prof. Isiaq Amoo, ZSF State Grand Patron, urged the attendees to give their zakat and contribute to the development of the society.
Amoo, who said the cash and items distributed yearly was increased, called for more donors to enable the foundation do more for the people in the state.
“ZSF is not only giving out cash or items alone, they are doing numerous programmes including back to school, student scholarship, community support and many others, ” he said.
Similarly, Ustadh Abdulwasl’ Yusuf, Acting Imam, Government House Mosque, Akure, who delivered the lecture, admonished individuals, organisations, and philanthropists to support government through empowerment for the betterment of the country.
Yusuf, who described alms as protection and security for individuals, said it would also contribute to the economy of the society.
“It’s very important for philanthropists to understand that Allah gave them the resources, not for them alone but also to give out to the needy.
“Allah says we should take good care of those who are close to us, our families, co-workers, and neighbours. By the time you continue to do this, it will restore peace into the society.
“If you give back to the society, you are contributing to the betterment of the society, to the peaceful coexistence, economic stability of the society, and it will also provide security for you in terms of danger,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oba AbdulRaheem Adejoro Mustapha, Alafin of Afin-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State, charged Muslim philanthropists to cultivate the Idea of giving back to the society.
Adejoro said Allah ordained the well-to-do in the society to reach out to the less privileged, saying ZKF was one of Allah’s obligations.
“Our wealth is not by our might, power, or wisdom. It is Allah that gives us whatever we have and we must not sit on it alone, rather to benefit others who are less-privileged,” he said.
The traditional ruler, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the cash and items.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Morufat Adeola, an 8-year-old widow from Ijoka in Akure South Local Government, who was given a deep freezer, appreciated the foundation.
She said the gesture would go a long way to train her children and promised to become a good giver of charity to the others in future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)