SEMINAR REPORT: 'ZAKAT INSTITUTION, PANACEA TO GLOBAL ...

Seminar report: ?Zakat institution, panacea to global economic crisis?
By RAZAQ BAMIDELE
Friday February 03, 2012

?L?R: Guest lecturer, Dr. AbdulHakeem Mobolaji, Chairman Pilgrims Welfare Board, Lagos State, Hon AbdulHakeem Abdul Lateef, Chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Mutiu Anthony and the Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib at the distribution of zakat to beneficiaries in Lagos on Sunday.
Photo:Sun News Publishing

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A humanitarian organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), organised a forum on Sundayto discuss the importance of Zakat institution in the world economy.

The objective of the forum, according to the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mallam Shuaib Abdullahi, was to show that the divine institution of Zakat has the answer to the world economic crisis that always lead to other socio-political and ethnic crises.

In his opening speech at the event, Abdullahi Shuaibu explained that ?Zakat proceeds are meant to enhance the living standard of the masses as well as serve as a means of redistributing wealth so that socio-economic balance would be achieved in the society.?

He disclosed that ?the better welfare and improved living condition of our people are the focal points of the foundation?s activities which cannot be compromised,? adding that ?the Foundation is deeply touched by the level of durativity, disease, ignorance and abject poverty where an average Nigerian earns less than $2 per day.?

Shuaib asserted that the institution of Zakat becomes very relevant and important as a potent panacea to reduce poverty in the immediate situation and in the long run eliminate it,? enfluencing that with the support of the government, Zakat proceeds can be used to enhance the living standard of the people, as well as means for wealth redistribution so that socio-economic balance would be achieved in the society.? A financial expert and guest lecturer on the occasion, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Mobolaji blamed ?Income inequality to the socio-economic and political crisis in the world,? regretting that ?less than 20% of the world population of 6.2 billion control the resources of the world.?

Mobolaji, who lectures at the Department of Economics, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun state, said since inequality in the socio-economic power of man was not strange to Islam because God has said He did not endow man equally, ?the institution of Zakat therefore comes in where the global wealth is meant to be redistributed to enhance peace and avert crisis.?

To buttress his point, the lecturer quoted Qur?an 6:165 thus: ?And it is He Who has made you generations coming after generations, replacing each other on the earth. And He has raised you in ranks, some above others that He may try you in that which He has bestowed on you. Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.?

Where this gap is not filled, the don stated that ?what would be the order of the day would include loss of trust and confidence in government, national insecurity, unpatriotic behaviour (wanton destruction of property) and ineffectiveness of judicial institutions.? He described Zakat as an avenue for reduction of wastage, sense of accountability to Allah and to man (Hadith Qudsi), as well as for effective income distribution. He lamented that nowadays, Nigeria, like others has exhibited signs of a failed state where provision of basic amenities, reliability and transparency of government.

And effective social security system have become a mirage. Against this backdrop, the don advocated strict compliance to the institution of Zakat because of its potency to guarantee social security and peaceful co-existence,? pointing out that ?the social welfare package in the western world was aimed at caging the poor so that the rich could enjoy their wealth.?

Another contributor and Director of Zamfara State Zakat Foundation Board, Mallam Ibrahim Tudun viewed the activities of the Foundation as ?a wake up call,? because, according to him, the problem at hand in Nigeria is as a result of the fact that ?Zakat institution is not accorded its prime place in the socio-economic and political life of the country.?

At the end of the discussion, the Foundation doled out N34.9 million worth of Zakat proceeds to the successful 180 beneficiaries who had gone through screening interviews across Lagos state at the Multipurpose Hall, Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the venue of the Forum.
Besides money, some of the materials given out included tricycle (i.e. Keke Marwa), sewing machines, nylon sealing machines, a set of computer system, grinding machines, wheel chair and digging/packing machine among others. Other areas of disbursement, also included healthcare, education, accommodation, debt-relief and welfare support.

Source: http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?p=106242

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