The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) distributed N13 million household items and business startups to 160 recipients, including 10 Christians on Saturday in Abuja.
Speaking at the event held at the Al-Habibiyyah Jumat Mosque Guzape, Abuja, the Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, said the event was the 2nd National Zakat Day and 12 public disbursements of zakat to the needy.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that zakat (compulsory charity/alms for the needy) is the last of the five compulsory pillars of Islam, for those who meet the designated threshold in cash and other forms of wealth in one full lunar calendar year.
“The N13m will be disbursed today in form of cheques for educational support, business startups, and others,” Adeyemi said.
He said the items include deep freezers, sewing machines, grinding machines, fridges and barbing saloons startup kits among others.
According to him, this year’s programme was carefully established to sensitise everyone on the current issues and challenges on the payment and disbursement of zakat.
“It is a known fact that if all eligible Muslims pay their zakat(tithes), no Moslem will be poor, hence the theme of the event, ‘Zakat Day: Practice to Prosperity,’” he said.
Speaking on the theme of the event, the Chairman Sokoto State Zakat and Waqf Commission, Alhaji Muhammed Maidoki, said the fastest way to gain wealth and win Allah’s favour was through feeding the hungry and giving to charity.