Poverty Alleviation: NASFAT unveils empowerment program, distributes items, cash to members

The Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society, Kaduna Branch, on Sunday July 5, 2020, unveiled an empowerment program to lessen financial burdens among its members.

While disclosing this in an interview with MCR correspondent on Monday July 6, 2020, Chairman of Kaduna Branch Planning Committee and Kaduna Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr Abdulwaheed Amusa, stated that the empowerment program was in line with the social and religious responsibilities of the Society.

He added the Kaduna Branch of NASFAT embarked on the Landmark project in fulfillment of the 4th pillar of Islam — Zakkat.

NASFAT members at the program

According to Mr Abdulwaheed, NASFAT Kaduna Branch established a Zakkat and Sadaqat committee that comprises 14 committed members with a good repute of Islamic, economic and social understandings.

The Zakkat and Sadaqat committee of the Branch was inaugurated by the Branch Executive Council of the society headed by Engr. Muhyideen Alimi Yusuf.

He noted that the establishment of the committee was aimed at carrying out the tasks of collecting and administrating Zakat and Sadaqat within and outside Kaduna State in order to empower the vulnerable members of the Society.

Some of the items distributed at the program

While speaking about the main aim of the initiative, Mr Abdulwaheed stated that “NASFAT carried out the initiative in order to reduce or eliminate poverty among Muslims.

“We believe that the empowerment would take people, especially the Muslims, out of their financial predicaments by providing them a veritable source of daily income.”

He continued that “It would also contribute to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the nation, reduce the armed banditry and robbery in our society, support educational growth and development of our future leaders among others.”

Items distributed to members

The 14-man Zakkat and Sadaqat committee of NASFAT Kaduna Branch is spearheaded by Imam AbdulRasaq Zurqarinain.

The Modalities for 2020 Empowerment Program

Answering questions about the modalities embraced to select beneficiaries for this year’s empowerment program, the committee Chairman, Imam AbdulRasaq Zurqarinain, explained that applicants were invited, interviewed.

NASFAT members at the program

He added that some background checks were carried out on the 23 applicants who submitted their application letters for the main purpose of benefiting from Zakat and Sadaqat collected from the voluntary donors.

“The process was to authenticate the genuineness of all the applicants’ claims.

“The committee received about two million naira from both perennial and new donors for 2020/1441AH collections
For the 2020/1441AH zakkat disbursement and distributions,” he said.

Presentation of check to one of the beneficiaries

The items and materials distributed to the deserving beneficiaries included: big deep freezers, sewing machines, grinding machine, medicines and drugs, provisions, beverages, and packs of soft drinks.

The committee also gave out some cheques for the clearance of debts and scholarship grants to the deserving applicants after a thorough verification processes.

While unveiling the items at NASFAT Village, Hayin Banki, Kawo kaduna, Imam AbdulRasaq Zurqarinain, leveraged the avenue to urge those who are capable of donating items for the less privileged to support the Zakkat and sadaqat committee with cash and other empowerment equipment and materials.

Commending the Zakkat committee for a job well done, the Kaduna Zonal Chairman, Alh. Muhammed Kabir Inuwa Bello, encouraged all Islamic Societies to emulate NASFAT by reaching out to the poor among their members.

“This is the best way to reduce the level of poverty among our brethren and sisters,” he advised.

Alh Kabir commended the significant roles played by the Secretary of the Zakat Committee, Alh Suleiman Alebiosu, towards the success of the program.

In his words of encouragement, the Kaduna Branch Secretary, Alh. Abdulakeem Adeniji, called on the rich among the Muslims to extend their generosity to fellow Muslims.

He stated that the Covid-19 pandemic had heavily impacted the Muslims across the country. He stressed that there was urgent need “to support them financially in order to cushion the economic effects of the pandemic.”

The Chairman of the Planning Committee and Kaduna Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr Abdulwaheed Amusa stated that interested individuals or organizations who wish to support the Zakkat “could send their donations to the committee account Nasfst Zakkat/Sadaqat Stambic bank, Account No Number; 0015593730.
Contact the Zakkat committee chairman on 08065403694 and the secretary on 08034503577.”