Poised to empower vulnerable Muslims, despite the pandemic, the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) has disbursed N70 million to 317 Muslims in Lagos State.
During the yearly Zakat disbursement targeted at the less privileged, widows, the needy, the sick and orphans, cash and working tools were given to both male and female beneficiaries.
Some of the items include 10 tricycles, 17 sewing machines, 28 deep freezers, one grinding machine, four generators, three computer laptops and one dispatch bike.
Speaking at the event, Chairman, LEMU Zakat Committee, Alhaji Yunus Olalekan Saliu, said that the committee made remarkable progress by achieving 40 per cent increase in what was generated the previous year.
“LEMU has made another remarkable progress in its Zakat collection efforts during year 2019/20. Alhamdulillah. In spite of the difficulty of our time, total collection soared to about N70 million compared to about N50 million last year, an impressive increase of about 40 per cent.”
He commended the screening committee on the onerous task of carefully screening the list, using fair bases and set criteria to determine genuine cases of need and to establish the right priorities.
“In doing so, the committee was strictly guided by Allah’s injunction for determining Zakat beneficiaries as set out in Qur’an (Q9 verse 60). The committee also sought and obtained the Chief Imam’s wise counsel, useful suggestions and guidance from time to time. Ultimately, the centrepiece of our action remained poverty alleviation and economic empowerment.”
He noted that the beneficiaries were grouped into the five categories, in addition to people acutely in need who received some palliatives during the period of COVID -19 lockdown.
“It is a thing of joy that a total of 223 beneficiaries will smile home today with various gifts. Many of the recipients, courtesy of our donors, will be delighted to go home with cash, while others will leave this venue in a very happy mood.”
Saliu commended the Chief Imam, Lekki Central Mosque, Imam Ridwan Jamiu, for his constant support as well as the donors and many others who saw to the success of the programme.
He emphasized the importance of Zakat as wealth purification.
He said, “Please, permit me to remind the rich and affluent Muslims who have not been paying Zakat to wake up and join others in performing this charitable obligation, the third pillar of Islam. I must therefore emphasise that it is not an option, but indeed a compulsory payment that purifies our income and wealth. Just as ablution purifies the body and salat purifies the soul, Zakat purifies our possessions and makes them pleasing to Allah, the originator, owner and giver of all wealth.”
He advised wealthy Muslims to tap into the payment of Zakat in order to take care of the needy.
He urged the beneficiaries of Zakat to make the best use of what they received. “I have a word for those whose expectations of receiving something today were not met. Let them remain hopeful knowing that Zakat distribution is a continuous exercise; and, Insha Allah, we hope to take care of more and more deserving people in future.”
A beneficiary, Taofiqah Aworunse, who received an industrial sewing machine and a sum of #50, 000, commended the group, saying “ I am so grateful to Almighty Allah and Lekki Muslim Community for giving me cash and a sewing machine. I pray to Almighty Allah to continue to enrich the organization and all the donours, who have contributed one way or the other in ensuring orphans are empowered in a country where nobody cares.”
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