Mohd. Akmal Shareef, Head of Mission, Islamic Relief India while addressing the gathering.
New Delhi: Islamic Relief India launched its two-yearlong campaign on “Building resources across the communities – Exploring the power of Zakat” on 4th July 2015 at Hotel Metro Star Hotel, Jasola, New Delhi.
The objective of the campaign is to sensitize muslim’s about the importance of charity giving in Islam and how it can be utilized in a strategic way. An hour long discussion was held on the theme entitled “Building resources across the communities – Exploring the power of Zakaat”. Mohd. Akmal Shareef, Head of Mission, Islamic Relief India, delivered the key note address. He highlighted the importance of zakat and other forms of charity and how it can be strategically utilized for the development of Umma. In his talk, he in particular focused the need for developing systems where we create more zakat/charity givers than takers. He further emphasized the need to building a collective zakat/charity system and to use it strategically for the advancement of Islamic values and actions. A conservative assessment suggest that at least Rs. 5000-8000corer zakaat generated every year in India, but its impact has been limited. There is a need for a paradigm shift in the approach of zakat generation and its utilization. During the occasion social Activist Mr Abdur Rashid Agwan also shared his thoughts in the light of Quran and Hadith and urged people to donate as much as for the development of umma and nation. Mr Mohd Asim, CEO of leading international corporate organisation stressed the need for creating a more transparent system in Zaka’at management. He in particular urged Islamic Relief to come forward and take lead in building up a strong transparent zakaat management system in India. While addressing the gathering, Mr Sohail Razzaq, Director of a leading global firm on food and beverages urged the need for making our charity system more impact oriented. Legal Activist Advocate Shahid Ali also addressed the gathering. The programme was moderated by Mr Shahbuddin Yaqub.
Islamic Relief is an independent humanitarian and development organization with a presence in over 40 countries around the globe. We have been fighting poverty and injustice for 30 years, in a world which over three billion people still live in poverty. Under this campaign Islamic Relief will be reaching to at least 2 lakhs muslims across India with the purpose to sensitize them about the importance of strategic charity giving and its relevance in Islam
The program was attended by more than 70 participants with varied profile like; journalist, academician, administrators, senior corporate professionals and Directors and Social Activists. The program was followed by Iftar and dinner.
For details please write to support@islamic-relief.org.in