From Aliyu Momoh, Okene
An Islamic organisation, the ZAQAT and SADAQAT foundation was in Okene, kogi state recently, to empower the needy.
The programme marks the 7th edition of the foundation’s annual humanitarian activities across the country.
In his welcome address, the zonal coordinator of the programme, mallam Idris Otaru, expressed gratitude to members of the foundation for extending their gesture despite the low percentage of contribution made by the Muslim faithfuls in the state.
He then called on Muslim faithfuls to note that ZAQAT is one of the five pillars of Islam which mandates Muslims to contribute 2.5 percent of their earnings to charity.
Speaking further, the zonal co-ordinator, explained that the percentage of contribution realised from the state determines the number of beneficiaries of the foundation’s empowerment programme.
In his speech while presenting the empowerment items to the beneficiaries, the representative of the foundation who doubles as the monitoring/evaluation officer, Alhaji Misbaudeen Ismail, commended the efforts of the foundation.
He call on Muslims and other well-to-do members of the society to contribute a certain percentage of their earnings to assist the needy in the society.
Items such as freezer, sewing machine, grinding machine, cash, health and educational materials, were presented to the beneficiaries.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mallam Abubakar Saliu, thanked the foundation for the gesture and promised that beneficiaries will strive to contribute to the foundation.