Iganga, (UG): In an effort to develop underprivileged Muslims, the Muslim leadership in Iganga Municipality on Monday distributed Zakat Al Maal to at least 38 underprivileged Muslims to boost their small businesses and accumulate wealth.
The leaders of the Islamic faith under Iganga Municipal Muslim Council (IMMC) body advised beneficiaries to put the money to good use, with the aim of developing themselves such that they can join the class of givers instead of beneficiaries.
The deputy Kadhi for Iganga Muslim district, Sheikh Siraji Famba, while addressing beneficiaries at Mecca mosque in Iganga where IMMC offices are located, tasked Muslims in the district to pay Zakat since it’s one of the pillars of Islam, saying the number of givers is still small yet the needy Muslims across the municipal mosques is overwhelming.
“This is the first of its kind in Iganga, we raised 6 million Uganda shillings which we distributed amongst 38 people including male and female from the twenty mosques in Iganga municipality. We call upon Muslims with various businesses to respond to the Islamic pillar by paying Zakat,” Sheikh Famba said saying Imams have for the past relaxed to sensitize believers on giving Zakat.
DailyExpress established that 13 Muslims paid the 6m Zakat which was distributed and we learnt that the least earner received 120,000=.
Sheikh Famba however urged the Imams at various mosques to sensitize Muslim believers to give Zakat since it’s a command from Allah, to support the needy.
He says the public distribution was aimed at transparency in order to attract others to pay with an assurance that it will reach the right beneficiaries.
The secretary for Iganga Municipal Muslim Council Mr. Waiswa Ismael Typpaca said it’s the first of its kind and they targeted the people with small businesses and the needy saying that they are aiming at boosting their work through the support.
“…in this first phase, we have considered those with small businesses and some underprivileged Muslims and we hope they will improve their finances and also support others. I call upon people in Iganga to pay Zakat at the office and in their bank account with confidence that your Zakat will be handled well,” Mr Waiswa said.
Mr Waiswa also urged the beneficiaries to utilize the money received to boost their small businesses and improve their incomes.
He assured the Muslim fraternity in the municipality and district that any amount paid will be put to good use, saying the 6m was raised by only 13 Muslims in the municipality.
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