Ramzan charity: NGO converts zakat takers into givers

NAGPUR: Zakat is an annual charity obligated on every financially independent believer. Though it aims to improve the lives of the poor, Muslims have been worried about the increasing number of alms seekers each Ramzan despite the better-offs loosening their purse strings.
While concerns remain if the aid is reaching the actual beneficiary or their money is ending up in begging rackets, a believer is duty-bound to cross-check claims of charity seekers, which remains a far cry.

Plugging this lacunae, NGO Jamiat Islahul Muslemeen (JIM) has ensured 100% utilization of zakat in the overall welfare of the needy, thereby converting many takers into givers.
The NGO is extending financial support to the needy in professional education, healthcare, monthly pension, food bags only after due verification.
The NGO has met the academic expenses of more than 5,000 students from undergraduate to PhD level in the last one decade. A survey of students covered from 2014 to 2018 showed 245 people have come out of poverty and now contributing zakat, which comes to a minimum of 2.5% of annual income.
“We contacted 25% such students. Five of them are now earning more than Rs10 lakh per annum package. They have become our donors too. The fee is directly remitted to the college account,” he said.
With its growing popularity, the NGO has incurred a deficit of over Rs11 lakh for the year 2022-23. “Downsizing allocations to accommodate all or say sorry or appeal for increasing donations are some options before us. We are sticking to the third option,” said Hamid bin Khalid Qurashi, secretary of JIM.
Rising food and medical inflations have led to the deficit. “We can’t ask a beneficiary to stop taking education, treatment or medicine. Hence, we have shown deficit. Hospitalization, surgery and medicines have accounted for 26.5 lakh for 212 patients in 2022-23,” he said.
So far, over 400 applicants have been paid for availing healthcare, education, marriage of orphan/poor and monthly pension to widows and handicapped women from zakat expenditure of Rs52.68 lakh for 2022-23. “JIM is in deficit of over Rs7.65 lakh. Another Rs3.34 lakh deficit is in non-Zakat collection towards salaries of employees and office bills,” he said.
The JIM ladies wing is also running a Tamil Miskeen campaign in which food bags are distributed to 59 families every month. Another 110 families receive food bags in Ramazan and 126 for Eid-ul-Fitr. “These beneficiaries are the starved ones. Someone who is unable to earn because of a tragedy,” he said.
Founded in 1928, the NGO has since been serving the community’s needy under the same model.