Till 700 years ago, the Muslim world had given due importance to the collective system of Zakat collection and distribution as per Islamic principles, which had changed the socio-economic prospects of the society, said Mr. Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance.
He was speaking at a seminar on the Need for Streamlining Collection and Distribution of Zakat organised by Islands Zakat Foundation (IZAFA) in Port Blair, Andamans. Highlighting the need for reviving the system, he said that India today needs to properly channelise the resources available within the Muslim community for both poverty alleviation and uplifting the standard of living through Zakat, the obligatory pillar of Islam. He widely elucidated the system during the Prophet’s era and the next few centuries.
Zakat can be made a vehicle of change for alleviating poverty from the Muslim society, he said.
On the scourge of interest-based economy he said that Muslims need to be aware about the exploitative economic system and present to the world the pro-poor interest-free economic system propounded by Islam.
We need to change our attitude towards business and market and realise what importance Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) gave to economic activity, he said.
Medina market was an exemplary system established under the guidance and monitoring of the Prophet himself, which set an alternative example where Jewish dominance, based on exploitative interest rates, prevailed, Mr. Abdur Raqib said.
The seminar, organised by IZAFA was well attended by businessmen, women as well as a large number of salaried people covered by Zakat, willing to be part of the initiative. After the keynote address, a lively discussion followed on various aspects of utilisation of Zakat.
Earlier, Mohammed H Jadwet, President IZAFA, in his presidential address, spoke on length about the importance of Zakat, which does not get the place in our scheme of things like other pillars of Islam like Salat and Fasting. He urged the gathering to contribute to the Foundation and become part of a life-changing mechanism, where with due diligence, deserving people are identified and made self-sufficient by providing them with livelihood options.
Islands Zakat Foundation has been active in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands since last Ramadhan and has helped 12 families in different fields like Livelihood, Shelter, Health and Education.
The seminar concluded with the vote of thanks by K P Mohammed Younus, Secretary, IZAFA, who also presented a brief report about the activities of IZAFA.
[ZUBAIR AHMED is a journalist based in Port Blair, Andaman Islands]