Govt asked to adopt Zakat Concept
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC Zakah- Alms collections and distribution Secretary, Sheikh Abdubarri Muhammadi Kaloozi has urged the government to consider the concept of Zakah, the third pillar of Islam as one of the interventions for its poverty alleviation programs.
This was part of his moving Friday sermon delivered at Nateete Main Mosque under Lubaga Muslim District in Kampala Muslim Region. Quoting several verses of the holy Quran backed with Hadiths-Prophetic sayings as reported from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Sheikh Kaloozi told the packed congregation that whenever prosperous and wealthy Muslim believers neglect giving back to less privileged members of the community, they should be certain that Almighty Allah will withdraw his divine blessings from all spheres leading to meaningless livelihood characterized with financial distress coupled with wide spread impoverishment that gives rise to criminality, hate and corruption among many other nature calamities as currently experienced.
“Zakah was ordained by the Almighty Allah as welfare meant to create harmony and mutual understanding between the rich and poor,” Sheikh Kaloozi said.“Apart from divine rewards attained by the giver it also cleanses one’s wealth, multiplies wealth and guarantees divine protection from God Almighty,” he added.In same breath, he pointed out that although Gov’t technocrates and economists are from time and time designing various interventions such as the Parish Development Model-PDM and Emyooga among others, they are likely to fail because of conflicting with Islamic teachings. He urged government to collaborate with the Muslim Leadership in exploring the Zakah concept as a plan B for poverty alleviation.
In attendance were Dr. Sheikh Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, the UMSC Director of Sharia who shortly after the observation of Friday reminded the faithful to formalize their marriages in accordance with the law by acquiring legitimate marriage certificates. Sheikh Jamiru Kassim Ntambi, the Kadhi of Lubaga Muslim District and his county Sheikh Yusuf Muyingo Kulakweta among others were also present.