Nasrullahi-l-Fatih (NASFAT) Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat (NAZAS) has distributed N130 million in zakat proceeds to 300 beneficiaries.
This disbursement event took place on Sunday, July 21, at the CIPM House in Ikeja, Lagos, immediately following the Agency’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was convened to review the 2023 annual report and accounts.
The zakat disbursement, derived from the 2024 collections, was organized to commemorate the Islamic New Year, Hijrah 1446 AH.
The beneficiaries spanned various categories, including empowerment, scholarships, health needs, monthly stipends for the aged, and debt relief, among others.
Rigorous Beneficiary Selection Process
Alhaji Mufutau Adelotan, General Manager of NAZAS, elaborated on the meticulous process that ensured only genuine applicants benefited from the zakat.
“Applicants are required to fill out forms released by the Agency in January each year. Subsequently, they undergo interviews conducted by a technical committee, primarily comprising our Imams, who verify the authenticity of their needs,” he explained.
Since its inception in 2014, NAZAS has mobilized over N700 million in zakat funds. “This year alone, by June, we had collected approximately N154 million. Today, we are distributing N130 million across all our zones and headquarters to over 300 beneficiaries. The remaining balance will be used for further disbursements and operational costs,” Adelotan noted.
However, the current economic climate, exacerbated by a challenging dollar-to-naira exchange rate, has made it difficult for many Nigerians to meet the nisab, the financial threshold required to qualify for zakat payment.
“Based on the current dollar rate and gold prices, the nisab is around N10 million, a figure beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker or investor. Nonetheless, they can continue to contribute through regular sadaqah,” Adelotan added.
Impact and Future Plans
Adelotan proudly highlighted the positive impacts of previous zakat disbursements on beneficiaries, many of whom have begun giving back to the initiative. “We have a Food and Clothing Day scheduled for December, supported by our past beneficiaries. For instance, the plaques presented to our past directors were crafted by one of our beneficiaries, who now trains others in the trade.”
Transition Chairman, Alhaji Abdulwahab Abdulrahman, noted that the disbursement was not limited to NASFAT members.
“Beneficiaries included Muslims from various backgrounds, provided they met the necessary criteria,” he stated. Abdulrahman also expressed optimism about meeting the agency’s N200 million zakat mobilization target for the year.
Challenges and Strategic Vision
Despite the challenges in convincing the average Muslim to pay zakat, Abdulrahman emphasized the agency’s ongoing efforts. “Zakat is a fundamental pillar of Islam. We have engaged Imams to sensitize Muslims about its importance. While some Muslims pay zakat without prompting, more awareness is needed,” he said.
NASFAT National Missioner, Sheikh Onike, reinforced the religious obligation of zakat, urging Muslims not to let the country’s economic downturn deter them from fulfilling this duty.
“Regardless of economic conditions, those who can afford to pay zakat must continue to do so. Wealth should be shared to ensure no Muslim goes to sleep hungry,” he asserted.
A Call for Greater Consciousness
In his closing remarks, Sheikh Onike congratulated the leadership and members of NASFAT on the successful AGM and commended the efforts of both past and current NAZAS directors. He called for heightened awareness and strategic efforts to tap into the full potential of zakat. “While NAZAS has achieved much, we remain below capacity given the sector’s potential. We must strategize to raise the consciousness of the Muslim community about their zakat obligations,” he concluded.
The event highlighted the critical role of zakat in alleviating poverty and underscored NASFAT dedication to fostering a more equitable society through sustained charitable efforts.
News Source: Muslim News Nigeria
