In preparation for this year’s Ramadan, Elders’ Consultative Forum for Sharia in Nigeria, Oyo State branch, has distributed the sum of over two million naira Zakat (obligatory charity in Islam) to about 122 Muslim indigents in Ibadan.
The event, which took place recently, was part of the five pillars of Islam, and it is an annual deduction from every wealthy Muslims’ income, assets, savings or farm produce.
The Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Lasun Sanusi, said in his message shortly after distribution that the intention was not only to empower the jobless, poor or ailing Muslims, but to alleviate the level of suffering of the beneficiaries and enhance the holistic development of Muslims in the state.
Alh. Sanusi explained that the distribution of Zakat by the forum started five years ago and since then, different items and cash were given to the needy annually.
He highlighted education and health related programmes as part of the agenda the forum has been able to embark upon with the help of Zakat to assist the indigent students’ education and medical challenges.
Alh. Sanusi disclosed that the forum is also having programmes for indigents who are interested in learning trade or vocation.
He, therefore, called on well-to-do Muslims to inbibe the habit of paying Zakat in order to assist the needy among us within the society.
In his lecture, Shelkh Dhikrulah Shafi, noted that there is increase in the rate of poverty in the country because the rich ones have ignored payment of Zakat, adding that there is severe punishment for those who have capacity to pay Zakat but decide not to pay.
He explained that if Zakat was observed as recommended by the Almighty Allah, poverty rate in the country would be drastically reduced, and this will invariably reduce crime rate and there will be peace in the society.
Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, who was a Special Guest at the event, expressed sadness as the level of poverty in the country keeps increasing, promising that in a short while good things will start to manifest.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Sifau Ganiyu, a widow, appreciated the organizers for the good gesture extended to them.
The amount of money given to each beneficiary was in the range of N15, 000 to N30, 000.
Dignitaries at the occasion were Alhaji Sakariyau Akinpelu, Chairman Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, representatives of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and representative of the Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Sheik AbdulGaniyy Abubakary Agbotomokekere among others.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
