60 Nigerians benefit as Jaiz Foundation holds first Zakat distribution in Kwara

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation held its first zakat distribution to beneficiaries of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, on Wednesday July 20, 2022.

The event, which took place on the premises of Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal in Ilorin, had the Acting Grand Kadi of the Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Honourable Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen, among other dignitaries in attendance.

In the speech of Chairman Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Mallam Adamu Bello, who was represented by a member of the Board, Mallam Abidu Yazid,  at the occasion also attended by another Board member Hajiya Amina Ladan-Baki, management executive led by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abdullahi Shaib, noted that the Foundation’s partner, Al-Husnah Centre for Waqf Affairs, had been very supportive in the successful implementation of the day’s zakat disbursement.

“As part of our mandates, the human capital development, economic empowerment and cries of the less privileged people are our concern as a charitable organisation inspired by the clarion call “…And raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help” Q4:75.

“Our little way of responding to this call is the reason for our gathering today. We are not unaware of the bad economy and worsening situation of the poor and needy. The good thing is that the foundation always strives to be the voice of the voiceless and the hope of the hopeless. It also inspires those in distress and difficulty,” he said.

Mallam Bello further noted Jaiz’s commitment to wiping off the tears of those in agony and pains and showed delight that “in the last few weeks, we have distributed Twenty-eight Million Eight Hundred and Seventy-one Thousand Fifty Naira and Ninety Kobo (N28, 871,050.90) Zakat fund to 327 beneficiaries in Lagos, Ondo, Bauchi and Sokoto States. It is the turn of 64 beneficiaries in the “State of Harmony” to benefit from a total Zakat fund of Five Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N5,250,000.00).”

Breaking down the amount giving to beneficiaries in Kwara State, he said the foundation had disbursed N798,000 for humanitarian intervention and N452,000 for administrative arrangement for the disbursement.

“Therefore, we are disbursing the outstanding balance of N4,000,000 to 60 beneficiaries present here with a view to assisting them to overcome some of their challenges.

“On this note, I congratulate all the successful beneficiaries and implore you to judiciously utilise the Zakat items and funds that will be given to you so that in the nearest future, you are able to thread the path of shared prosperity and financial sustainability,” the BoT Chairman, Mallam Adamu Bello, said while thanking all organizers that made the event a success.

Giving his report of the zakat distributions so far, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JAIZ Charity and Development Foundation, Dr. Abdullahi Shuaib, described the event as historic for a few reasons and he listed the reasons, firstly, as being the first time the foundation was carrying out a charitable activity since its inception to date in Kwara State; secondly, also being the first Zakat disbursement being organised in the state ccapital; thirdly, being the only state where more than one Trustees of the Foundation would be physically present at its Zakat distribution ceremony outside Abuja and, fourthly, “by providence, the Chairman of the foundation, who is unavoidably absent due to other commitments is ably represented by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin, Mallam Abidu Yazid, OON, who is also a Trustee of the foundation as well as the Chairman of Jaiz Takaful Insurance Plc, a subsidiary of Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation. Allahu Akbar Wa LiLlahil Hamd!”

Dr. Shuaib, reporting, said: “It may interest you to know that few weeks ago, the foundation disbursed a total Zakat fund of N28,871,050.90 (Twenty-eight Million Eight Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand Fifty Naira and Ninety Kobo) to 327 beneficiaries in Lagos, Ondo, Bauchi and Sokoto States. If we add Kwara State to the list, it will bring current total Zakat disbursement to N34,121,050.90 (Thirty-four Million One Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand Fifty Naira and Ninety Kobo) to a cumulative 391 beneficiaries so far.

“Out of the aforementioned figure, N5,250,000.00 (Five Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) is the Zakat fund meant for disbursement in Kwara State; which is categorised as follows: Economic empowerment is allotted N2,305,000.00 for 41 beneficiaries which represents 43.9 percent; Debt-relief for 14 beneficiaries is allotted N1,145,000.00 representing 21.81 percent and Humanitarian service for 2 persons is allotted N798,000.00 which is about 15.2 percent. Other allotments include Educational support for 3 persons which takes N350,000.00, about 6.62 percent; 2 beneficiaries of Medical support is allotted N200,000.00, about 3.81 percent and Administrative cost of N452,000.00, takes about 8.61 percent.

“Zakat items to be given out include local oven, baking and rolling pans; 50 crates of eggs; sewing machine; weaving machine; 4 bags of rice; 5 bags of semovita; 10 bags of charcoal; phone repairing tools; one load of yam, half bag of yam flour; and several packs of soft drinks among others.”

He said the policy thrust of the foundation in terms of empathy, care and concern for the spiritual and socio-economic welfare of the less privileged is predicated on the Maqasid al-Shari’ah (Objectives of Shari’ah).

“And to actualize these objectives, the foundation uses Zakat fund among other instrumentalities of Islamic social finance to assuage the desire of the less privileged for an improved standard of living. Unfortunately, an average person wakes up daily to witness the upsurge in the lack of job opportunities occasioned by the high poverty level, inequality, high inflation which has adverse effect on household items and high prices of foodstuff among others.

“Be that as it may, the foundation is driven by the Maqasid al-Shari’ah to rescue the less privileged in response to the words of Allah that “The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters) of one another…” Q9:71. Also, as a faith-based organisation, we are spurred by the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) to extend a helping hand to our fellow brethren and humanity in general as reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) that: “Whoever relieves a believer of one the distresses of this world, Allah will relieve him of one of the distresses of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever alleviates the need of a needy person; Allah will alleviate his needs in this world and Hereafter…” (Muslim)

“Distinguished brothers and sisters, these divine words are inspiring and assuring of glad tidings from Allah and His Messenger. It also motivates us to work untiringly for the sake of serving both the rich and the poor in order to facilitate a harmonious and peaceful community. I therefore appeal to those who are economically better-off to patronise the foundation with their Zakat and Sadaqah while we urge the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the foundation at all times. When they attain financial self-reliant, they too should remember the need to support the foundation,” he said.

Imam Abdullahi Shuaib concluded his report by joining the Chairman in appreciating the partnership of Al-Husnah Centre for Waqf Affairs, its Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Saliu Ishola, Engr Sa’ad Belgore, Chairman, Majlis for Sadaqah, Zakat and Waqf Kwara State, the Chairman of today’s occasion, Ag. Grand Kadi of the Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen, Hon Justice (Dr) Saliu O Muhammad, retired Grand Kadi, Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Alhaji Ibrahim Oniye, 1st Makama Ilorin Emirate, our guest lecturer, Dr Khalid Bello, Assoc Prof Dr AbdulWahab Elesin, Islamic Law Department Kwara State University and all members of the Local Organising Committee for a wonderful job. And to all our guests, I say Jazaakumullah khayraa for your attendance and support.

In her vote of thanks, Hajiya Amina Ladan Baki, member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, on behalf of the board, management of Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, appreciated all Zakat payers without whom, she said, the gathering would not have taken place and, also, thanked them for their patronage at all times while asking Allah to continue to bless their estates and families.

Hajiya Baki also extended profound gratitude of the Board and management of the Foundation to all that contributed to the success of the event including the chairman of the occasion and Acting Grand Kadi of Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Honourable Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen.