'Zakat is the right of the less-privileged'

MUSCAT, FEB 26

The Zakat and Charity Committee of Muttrah, in cooperation with the Office of the Iftaa and the Islamic Information Centre at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, organised an Interfaith Iftar for people of all faiths at the Muttrah Sabla on Wednesday.

The gathering of brothers and sisters from different walks of life saw hundreds of people coming together in search of knowledge and information about Islam and the Islamic lifestyle, the tenets of Islam and how the values make a change to the society.

“Zakat is the right of the less-privileged and a mandatory right of the poor and needy over the wealth of the affluent in Islam. It is not a voluntary act of charity or a favour, but a divine injunction and a core pillar of the faith. It is meant to purify the wealth and souls of the givers, while providing for the necessities of the beneficiaries,” a scholar who spoke at the event said.

He further said that Zakat is a recognised right of the poor because the Holy Quran states that in the wealth of the rich, there is a 'recognised right' for the needy and deprived. While charity (Sadaqah) is voluntary, Zakat is a mandatory, calculated at 2.5 per cent of surplus wealth, designed to redistribute wealth and alleviate poverty, not just temporarily, but as a system of social justice. Zakat fosters a sense of solidarity, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society are protected from poverty.

The programme included various activities such as an exhibition and informational booths about Islam, various lectures in English as well as other languages and an interactive competition with prizes.

“The Iftar gathering is a part of the annual events of the Zakat and Charity Committee in the Wilayat of Muttrah, under the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, and we conduct extensive social initiatives during the holy month, including the distribution of daily Iftar meals and food baskets to needy families,” an official from the Committee said.

The committee distributes hundreds of Iftar meals daily in mosques and to individuals in need across the Wilayat of Muttrah. In addition to meals, the committee distributes food baskets containing essentials like rice, flour and oil, benefiting hundreds of families. Lastly, the committee provides Zakat Al Mal, vouchers for fruits and vegetables, and Eid clothing for families, workers and orphans.