SOMALIA Famine Appeal

Last year Al-Ikhlas Trust took the decision to give priority to local beneficiaries when distributing Zakatul Fitr to target local issues before looking at other issues outside New Zealand. The Pakistan flood crisis was an exception and we then had specific collection boxes towards that cause and it was a personal choice to pay Zakatul Fitr to either destination.

This year we had a couple of options both inside and outside New Zealand to look at. But we had our focus on the extreme humanitarian crisis in Somalia. We believe that many of you must have seen the famous video clip about the famine in Somalia (WATCH IT HERE) which is not but a narrow snapshot of the full scale devastation. Looking at credible information relayed from that part of the world definitely sends alarming messages on the extreme suffering of the destitute there.

In doing so, we approached UNICEF in response to them approaching us for suc support of their work in Somalia. To achieve this we needed to pay attention to the fact that there are certain judicial conditions in applying Zakatul Fitr and regular Zakat. It is a requirement that they both should be given to Muslims not like Sadaqa that we can pass it to any legitimate disadvantaged in our community or elsewhere. It is with this information clarified, we immediately contacted other potential organizations and NGOs who could apply our intended Zakatul Fitr appeal without violating this important condition. Among the agencies we contacted was Islamic Relief Australia. They immediately replied to our communication and assured us that all contributed Zakat and Zakatul Fitr will be applied according to the right Islamic ruling on such matters.

PLEASE DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR ZAKAT ACCOUNT (Suffix 03) and don't forget the reference (SOMALIA). Rest assured that payments already in our Sadaqa account will be transferred to the beneficiaries as well. All payments made (thanks to all those who made the payments already) or payments to come will be directed to Islamic Relief Australia for that purpose. Because of the time constraints, we will have to make our cut-off day to receive the Somalia appeal payments Thursday the 18th of August to allow for the transaction to happen in time to get it to Somalia on time.

Zakatul Fitr received after August 18 till August 28 will be directed to other destinations of legitimate need. We cannot accept Zakatul Fitr after that date as it can only be treated as Sadaqa due to the fact that it won’t reach the needy before Eidul Fitr. Remember that Zkatul Fitr should be given to the deserving needy before Eid Prayer and that is the reason we need time to pass the collection to the needy.

Sadaqa payments received from the beginning of Ramadhan till Eidul Fitr can still be used to support the UNICEF appeal. If you have a Sadaqa contribution that you would like to direct to UNICEF then please make your reference (UNICEF)

Jazak Allah Khairan everybody 

Wassalam