Zakat Board limping for decades
Monday, 14 September 2009
Jasim Uddin Haroon
Zakat Board is mobilising an insignificant amount of charity money each year from the country's well-to-do Muslims as the board remained almost inactive since its inception nearly three decades ago.
Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, is mandatory for affluent Muslims. It stipulates that an individual has to donate a small percentage of his or her possessions (surplus wealth) to the poor segments of the Muslim community as charity.
Muslims across the country donated around Tk 7.7 million in 2008-09 fiscal year, which experts believe could be much more if the government takes necessary steps to activate the Board.
The Board realised Tk 1.5 million in 1982-83 when it was formed by the then President HM Ershad.
The highest collection was recorded in 2004-05 when the board realised zakat money amounting to Tk 22 million thanks to a nationwide campaign.
Shamim Mohammed Afzal, director general of Islamic foundation and secretary-in-charge-of the Board, told the FE: "We remain busy with other activities of the Islamic Foundation. It is true that the Zakat Board is largely neglected."
Zakat Board has currently only seven staff including four on deputation from the Islamic Foundation.
Moulana Farid Uddin Masud, a member of Zakat Board, said the Board has a potential of realising at least Tk 2.0 billion each year.
"But how will it take measures to raise the fund when the board even does not hold schedule meetings," Moulana Farid, a former director of Islamic Foundation, told the FE.
Moulana Md Abdul Kuddus, another member of the Zakat Board said: "We discussed a lot before Ramadan, but none of the resolutions of the meeting has been materialised so far."
The Zakat Board secretary told the FE the board would be equipped shortly so that it could create mass awareness and realise the maximum amount of the obligatory Zakat to provide the poor.
Meanwhile, the Board is implementing some projects in line with the Islamic rules relating to the disbursement of the Zakat fund.
The Zakat Board is currently operating 23 sewing centres across the country to train up indigent women.
"We are also providing funds to poor Muslims during natural disasters," said Abdul Hye Molla, an official of the Zakat Board.
Zakat Board is mobilising an insignificant amount of charity money each year from the country's well-to-do Muslims as the board remained almost inactive since its inception nearly three decades ago.
Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, is mandatory for affluent Muslims. It stipulates that an individual has to donate a small percentage of his or her possessions (surplus wealth) to the poor segments of the Muslim community as charity.
Muslims across the country donated around Tk 7.7 million in 2008-09 fiscal year, which experts believe could be much more if the government takes necessary steps to activate the Board.
The Board realised Tk 1.5 million in 1982-83 when it was formed by the then President HM Ershad.
The highest collection was recorded in 2004-05 when the board realised zakat money amounting to Tk 22 million thanks to a nationwide campaign.
Shamim Mohammed Afzal, director general of Islamic foundation and secretary-in-charge-of the Board, told the FE: "We remain busy with other activities of the Islamic Foundation. It is true that the Zakat Board is largely neglected."
Zakat Board has currently only seven staff including four on deputation from the Islamic Foundation.
Moulana Farid Uddin Masud, a member of Zakat Board, said the Board has a potential of realising at least Tk 2.0 billion each year.
"But how will it take measures to raise the fund when the board even does not hold schedule meetings," Moulana Farid, a former director of Islamic Foundation, told the FE.
Moulana Md Abdul Kuddus, another member of the Zakat Board said: "We discussed a lot before Ramadan, but none of the resolutions of the meeting has been materialised so far."
The Zakat Board secretary told the FE the board would be equipped shortly so that it could create mass awareness and realise the maximum amount of the obligatory Zakat to provide the poor.
Meanwhile, the Board is implementing some projects in line with the Islamic rules relating to the disbursement of the Zakat fund.
The Zakat Board is currently operating 23 sewing centres across the country to train up indigent women.
"We are also providing funds to poor Muslims during natural disasters," said Abdul Hye Molla, an official of the Zakat Board.