To help them learn more about Islam and adjust their lives to the new religion

 

Abu Dhabi, 23 August, 2010: The Disbursement Committee of Zakat Fund decided to grant AED 1 million to 100 people who newly embraced Islam to encourage them learn more about the religion and start their new lives as Muslims. The newly Islam converts are one of eight categories specified by the Holy Quran and the Islamic Shari’ah to deserve being given Zakat money.

Chaired by HE Abdullah Aqeeda Al Muhairi, Secretary General of Zakat Fund, said that people who have recently converted to Islam are those whose hearts are to be brought together in Islam. They were clearly mentioned in Verse 60 of Al Tawbah Soura in the Holy Quran as one of the eight categories who deserve to receive Zakat money along with the poor, the needy and others.

“It is our duty as Muslims to encourage and support those who embrace Islam to help show them the right way of life and to encourage them learn more about their religion and how to behave like real Muslims,” said Al Muhairi.

“Islam is a religion of mercy and compassion that stresses on helping people in need, as supporting those who have recently converted to Islam strengthens the feeling of brotherhood, justice and equality among Muslims.”

He called upon all Muslims and philanthropists in the UAE to coordinate with Zakat Fund extend helping hands to those who are in trouble or in big debt or affected by some kind of disasters.

The vision of Zakat Fund is based on its excellent capability to serve Zakat obligation by spreading more awareness about this duty, encouraging Muslims to pay it to those who deserve it as well as facilitating the procedures of delivering Zakat money to worthy recipients according to the channels specified by the Islamic Shari’ ah.

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About Zakat Fund:

Zakat Fund is an independent federal authority that was established in Abu Dhabi by the federal law No. (4/2003). Its main objective is to enhance Muslims’ awareness about the obligation of Zakat in Islam, and to consolidate its effect and significant role in social and individual development. Zakat Fund makes it the top priority to create a society of solidarity and human compassion through participating in many charitable activities targeting the poor and the needy. The Fund receives, develops and distributes Zakat money of the UAE national and resident Muslims in its legitimate channels specified by Islamic Shari’ah.

Resources of Zakat Fund include the Zakat money which Muslims desire to pay through the Fund or the money referred to the Fund by other charitable associations and authorities. Zakat resources also come from contributions, donations and aids delivered to the Fund by other entities provided that it does not conflict with the Fund’s objectives and that are accepted by the Board of Directors. Resources also include a portion of the UAE general budget that is specifically allocated for the Zakat Fund’s administrative expenses. Two committees have been assigned by the Fund’s Secretariat. The first is a legal committee that provides legal opinions with regard to the rulings of Zakat in Islamic Shari’ah, and the distribution committee which prepares policies of Zakat money disbursement in its legal channels specified by Shari’ah or determined by Zakat payers.

Zakat Fund provides a number of electronic programs to help Zakat payers, whether individuals or organizations, inquire, calculate and pay their Zakat through the Fund’s website and cell phones. Zakat Fund launched a series of charitable projects including: Poor & Needy project, Read project, Reward & Health project, Debtors project, Prisoners’ Families project, Mawadah project, Cooperation project with social and charitable associations, and the latest project of University Students.

For further inquires about Zakat Fund, please visit our website: www.zakatfund.ae

 

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