Marginalized char people awaits outside Friendship Hospital ship for treatment

Inequality of wealth is the biggest constraint in human development. Zakat is an impactful instrument aimed to reduce this problem. NGOs and government bodies alike can direct the Zakat that they collect on behalf of the recipients to those who need it the most, whilst still following the rules and regulations set forth pertinent to Zakat collection and donation in Islam. This allows for a much more widespread use of the donations that millions of Muslims make, thereby facilitating social benefit that would otherwise struggle to find backing, at least of the scale that Zakat allows.

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with praying 5 times a day, fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage for Hajj, and of course faith in Allah and his prophet, Muhammad. It is one of the core principles of the religion, and it is obligatory for all Muslims who have means that exceed their bare necessities to donate 2.5% of their wealth.

Who can receive Zakat?

There are 8 types of people who can receive zakat complying Islamic shariah (law).

1. The poor: As is obvious, the zakat goes to those people who cannot afford to live a happy healthy life.

2. The needy: Those people who have no earthly possessions, and have nowhere to call home.

3. Trusted Zakat collectors: Zakat can be given to trusted zakat collectors, who will redistribute it to those others in need in accordance with the rules and regulations of Islam. This may be private NGOs or government bodies, as long as the donations are transparent and in keeping with scripture.

4. New converts: New converts to the faith that have been ostracized for their decision may also receive zakat, to help them on their path of Islam.

5. Free slaves: Zakat can be given to free slaves. Though slavery is not as widespread, and certainly not as open as in times past, human trafficking still exists, and zakat can be given to free or assist them.

6. To spread the word of Islam: Zakat can be given to help those who are struggling to spread the word of Islam or protect it and its followers from those who would do it harm.

7. Clear debt: Zakat can be used to clear debts of people who have no other options, so long as they incurred that debt from honest and moral ventures.

8. Stranded traveller: Zakat may be used to return lost or stranded travellers to their homes, so that they can reunite with their families and loved ones.

Friendship NGO as Zakat Collector

The people that Friendship works with in the deltaic island areas are some of the most isolated and unaddressed people in Bangladesh. The shifting riverine islets come and go with the tides, and the people who live on them are bereft of any kind of infrastructure or access. Abandoned, disregarded and forgotten, their conditions are abysmal and they are stuck in an ancient time before modern technology, medicine or education.

78 Friendship Schools in remote chars give light of education to children

Friendship’s founding interventions started with its health sector, which has evolved to multi-tiered, innovative, unique and effective healthcare system that employs national and international doctors, locally trained medic-aides, mobile healthcare system, satellite connectivity, and of course the floating hospitals that the organization is known for. This holistic, multi-faceted healthcare system provides diagnostics, medication and surgeries of many kinds, all paid for by the generous donors, thereby saving and improving lives every day.

Friendship also brings the light of education to children and adults of every age, using unique, innovative and ICT-aided technology that bypasses the dearth of teachers and electrical power lines. The children from these schools have proven its effectiveness in public examinations, with results far above national averages.

Marginalized coastal people going for free medical care at Rongdhonu Friendship Hospital

Friendship’s zakat project will be directing its donations towards these two sectors (of its six), under strict adherence to Islamic laws, with clear, transparent monitoring and reporting.

Your zakat will help save and improve the lives of the people who have been all but ignored for generations and give them a chance to change their lives towards the better, living happily, healthily and productively. There is no greater purpose than giving these people, who have nothing, the ability to stand up and make something of themselves, realize their potential, and maintain their dignity and hope.

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