Commission tasks wealthy Muslims on prompt payment of Zakat

The Kano State Zakat and Endowment Commission, has called on wealthy Muslims in the state to ensure prompt payment of Zakat (Alms) to enable it disburse it to the needy before commencement of Ramadan.

The Director-General of the commission, Alhaji Safiyanu Gwagwarwa made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Gwagwarwa said the commission deemed it necessary to remind well-to-do Muslims on the urgent need for them to give out Zakat as the Ramadan was fast approaching.

He said the commission had dispatched letters of reminder to some prominent wealthy Muslims in the state with a view to ensuring early collection of the alms for prompt distribution to less-privileged persons.

“The Ramadan period is approaching and there is need for us to commence collection of the alms for onward disbursement to the needy before the commencement of the fast”.

“The letters are meant to remind our people on the importance of paying the alms as and when due as enshrined in Sharia to enable the commission distribute same in good time,” he said.

Gwagwarwa said the essence of collection and distribution of the alms to the needy was borne out of effort to discourage begging in the society.

“Wealthy Muslims are encouraged to give out Zakat and endowment as part of measures to reduce begging, especially among the less-privileged persons in the society’’, he said.

He said the commission in collaboration with the state House of Assembly had commenced process of amending the law guiding the operations of the Zakat collection committee with a view to enhancing its performance.

“Once the law is amended, it will transfer the chairmanship from whoever is holding it to the Emir at the state level to District Head at the local government level,” he added.