What is Zakat?
Referring to the Arabic word for ‘growth and purity’, Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. Zakat requires of Muslims that they give a percentage of their qualifying wealth each year to support Zakat-eligible communities. Through giving in the name of Zakat, Muslims believe they are thereby growing their wealth and ridding their character of miserliness.
Why is Alsama accepting Zakat?
All beneficiaries of Zakat-funding at Alsama are those in great need. Alsama students have experienced war, witnessed the deaths of loved ones, been forced out of their homes and suffered violence. They live in extreme poverty.
Alsama believes in empowering the communities we serve. Our Zakat-compliant projects are run for, and in large part by, refugee communities. Alsama has grown from a small empowerment centre in Shatila camp to an organisation working in refugee camps across Lebanon, which supports hundreds of bottom-of-the-pyramid teenagers through secondary education and cricket.
In short, Alsama accepts Zakat contributions as it needs your support to reach more vulnerable people.
How is Alsama ensuring Zakat-compliance?
Alsama has been confirmed as ‘Zakat-compliant’ by our external Shariah advisor, Mufti Yusuf Ebrahim Akud. Zakat payments made to Alsama are used to support Zakat-eligible projects in the Shatila and Bourj Barajneh camps where Alsama operates.
Zakat payments are restricted to Zakat-compliant projects. Zakat donations will not be spent on Alsama’s administrative costs.
Who is Mufti Yusuf Ebrahim Akudi, Alsama’s Islamic advisor?
Mufti Yusuf comes from the first generation of Muslim Imams born and educated in the UK. He graduated from the Institute of Islamic Education in 1997 and since has been involved in various faith, shariah, charitable and educational projects in the UK. Mufti Yusuf is married and has three children.
The Alsama Project can receive Zakat since it is providing material support to Syrian refugees who live in the camps and who work in various capacities for the organization furthering its good work.
Mufti Yusuf Ebrahim Akudi
Mufti Yusuf has presided as a Mufti and board member of the Islamic Tribunal, Sharee Council in Dewsbury, providing advice and guidance as well as preceding over cases and discussing Islamic law within the Panel.
As well as being a prominent presenter on Iqra TV and British Muslim TV, Mufti Yusuf has also taught in and developed Madrassahs and worked as a Muslim Imam within a Prison Multi Faith Chaplaincy team. He has also been a board member of the Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum.
He has studied Arabic Language, Quran Exegesis, Islamic Economics, Sociology, Law and Islamic Ethics. He is fluently spoken in three South Asian language as well as being fluent both in written and verbal in Arabic, Urdu and English.
Watch Mufti Yusuf talking about Alsama here.