By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: The importance of organized distribution of Zakat to fight poverty in Muslim societies and the need to strengthen spirituality and supporting charitable activities were the main messages of iftar parties held by Indian cultural organizations in Jeddah.

Zakat, the compulsory alms to be given by well-to-do Muslims, was the focus of an iftar arranged by Thanima. “Muslims are ready to perform five-time prayers (Salat), fast during Ramadan and perform Haj, but most of them are reluctant to give Zakat, which is one of the five pillars of Islam,” said Abdul Shukoor Ali, a dawa worker and a senior official of Thanima.

He emphasized the need to collect and distribute Zakat in an organized manner to make it an effective tool for poverty alleviation. “At present the poor have to queue in front of the homes of the rich to get Zakat money. This is totally against the spirit of Zakat,” he said.

Islam has encouraged the Muslim faithful to spend their money in supporting the poor and financing Islamic and humanitarian projects, Ali said. “The Holy Qur’an describes spending in the way of God as a kind of profitable investment,” he pointed out. READ MORE