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Saba Yemen
11-06-2025
- General
- Saba Yemen
Hajjah Zakat Office Implements Projects Worth More Than 2.19 Billion YER in 2024: Report
Hajjah – Saba: The General Authority of Zakat Office in Hajjah governorate implemented a package of charitable and philanthropic projects in 2024 at a cost of 2,186,000,000 YER. The governorate witnessed a significant shift in the implementation of Zakat projects, providing care for the families of martyrs, the wounded, prisoners, and missing persons, promoting Zakat work, developing cash and in-kind resources, and expanding projects in accordance with Sharia principles in various areas that meet the needs of society and alleviate the suffering of the poor and needy, exacerbated by the ongoing aggression and blockade. The Zakat Department focused on implementing humanitarian and charitable projects that address the needs of the poor, the needy, and those affected, alleviating their suffering. It also focused on resource development, which amounted to 2,233,953,000 YER during the same period. The implemented projects included support for community initiatives on roads to alleviate citizens' suffering and facilitate their transportation and the transport of crops, medical assistance for debtors, social care, and emergency response. The decentralization of Zakat disbursement contributed to accelerating and facilitating the delivery of cash and in-kind assistance to those eligible, including the poor, the needy, the affected, and the destitute, across all districts of the governorate. A report issued by the General Authority of Zakat Office, a copy of which was obtained by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), indicated that the total number of beneficiaries of Zakat projects implemented by the office during the past year exceeded 80,000 across all districts. Among the most prominent projects implemented by the office is Zakat al-Fitr for the poor and needy, benefiting 34,903 beneficiaries in various districts, totaling 698,060,000 YER. The project also benefited 800 brides and grooms in the fourth mass wedding, at a cost of 320,000,000 YER. The project also distributed marriage assistance from the Decentralized Exchange Project to 467 grooms, at a cost of 77,111,000 YER. The report indicated that 3,793 people benefited from medical assistance during the past year from the Decentralized Exchange Project, at a cost of 222,221,000 YER, and 210 from the Debtors Project, including 193from the Decentralized Exchange Project, at a cost of 52,106,000 YER, and 17 debtors from the Central Exchange Project, totaling 59,670,000 YER. 8,406 people benefited from the grain distribution project, costing 126,090,000 YER, and 5,555 citizens benefited from the fifth and sixth phases of in-kind Zakat, costing 111,010,000 YER. The charity kitchens project during Ramadan targeted 4,000 beneficiaries at a cost of 80,000,000 YER. According to the report, the number of beneficiaries of social welfare assistance reached 535 costing 18,000,000 YER, and 4,578 people benefited from cash assistance, costing 44,095,000 YER. It indicated that the gas cylinder distribution project targeted 16,346 families, costing 245,095,000 YER. 20 community initiatives were supported, costing 41,091,000 YER, distributed across the governorate center and the countryside of Hajjah, Najrah, Mabyan, Kuhlan Afar, Bani Al-Awam, Kuhlan Al-Sharaf, Al-Shahel, Qafl Shammar, Abs, Washha, Shars, and Al-Mahabesha. The office also contributed to the implementation of the Emergency Response Project, which benefited 831 people with cash, relief, and in-kind assistance. These assistances targeted those whose homes were damaged by floods, rain, and landslides, as well as fishermen whose boats were damaged by strong winds, at a cost of 62,823,000 YER. It also provided support to Quranic schools amounting to 5,000,000 YER, the personal identification card project amounting to 3,510,000 YER, and the archiving and data entry phases amounting to1,333,000 YER. The report indicated that the Authority's office provided support to the governorate's orphanage amounting to 6,000,000 YER, 600,000 YER to the sacrificial animal project, and 3,269,000 YER** to finance the gas cylinder project. The General Authority of Zakat Office was keen to strengthen the capabilities of its staff and develop their skills to improve performance and resource development by implementing six training and qualification programs targeting 214 employees and Zakat trustees. Director of the Zakat Authority's Office in the governorate, Fayed Al-Malahi, emphasized the importance of improving Zakat work processes, increasing revenues, intensifying community awareness programs, and overcoming challenges in coordination with the local authorities. Al-Malahi pointed out that the office is working to improve performance, advance Zakat work, expand the scope of social solidarity projects, support the health sector, community initiatives, and implement economic empowerment projects. These efforts are part of the General Authority of Zakat's mission to enhance its role in assisting the poor, the needy, and those in need and alleviating their suffering. He noted the success of decentralized disbursement projects in facilitating and accelerating the delivery of aid to those in need in all areas through simplified and smooth procedures. The Zakat director emphasized the importance of citizens' cooperation with the Authority's office and paying their Zakat, ensuring the continued implementation of charitable projects within a framework of cooperation and solidarity and achieving all Sharia objectives. He praised the efforts of the Authority's leadership, the local authorities in the governorate, and those responsible for raising the level of performance. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Reports)
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Zakat Department cancels Eid payouts
Due to a severe 'financial crisis', the District Zakat and Ushr Department on Thursday again failed to distribute Eid gifts to 10 deserving recipients, including orphans and widowed women, in Rawalpindi district on the occasion of Eidul Azha. Earlier, no financial assistance or Eid gifts were distributed during Eidul Fitr either. On Thursday, needy individuals, widows, and other deserving recipients, who visited the Zakat office in hopes of receiving financial aid, were informed that there would be no disbursement, which prompted widespread protest among the affected families. For the past 18 months, no financial aid has been distributed to eligible beneficiaries across Punjab due to the ongoing economic crisis. Prior to Eidul Fitr, there were announcements of Eid gifts worth Rs12,000 per recipient from the 20th to the 25th of Ramazan. However, on the 28th of Ramazan, the beneficiaries were told, "There is no money," and the distribution was canceled. Similarly, this Eidul Azha, an official announcement was made on April 28, stating that Rs24,000 would be given to each deserving individual as part of a one-time Eid gift. The news had brought joy to many needy families, widows, and orphans. However, when a large number of women arrived at the Zakat office to collect the promised aid, they were informed that funds had not been released and that the Eid gifts were canceled. Officials told them the money might be disbursed after Eid, once funds become available. Many women were seen in tears. One widow, Razia Begum, expressed her distress, saying, "They humiliated us on Eidul Fitr too. At that time, we were told we'd receive Rs12,000; now Rs24,000 was promised as annual aid, and once again, we've been turned away. If there's no money, they shouldn't make false promises." Families of patients suffering from leprosy were also denied financial assistance, despite being listed among recipients. Zakat Department employees in Rawalpindi revealed that they themselves have not received their salaries, even though staff in other government departments were paid on May 30 and 31. Without their wages, these employees said they couldn't buy clothes or shoes for their children, and their Eid celebrations were ruined. They have been told salaries might be issued on June 10 or 11. On Thursday, all deserving women and families who came in hopes of receiving financial assistance returned disappointed. The Zakat Department typically provides a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs2,000, paid every three to four months via EasyPaisa. However, due to the ongoing financial crisis across Punjab, this allowance has not been disbursed for the past 18 months. A full year's unpaid aid, amounting to Rs24,000, was supposed to be given as an Eid gift this time, butjust like Eidul FitrEidul Azha passed without any assistance due to unavailability of funds.
Express Tribune
08-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Zakat funds to be usedto pay inmates' fines
Zakat will be deducted from Savings Accounts having credit balance of over Rs35,557 on first of Ramazan. STOCK IMAGE The Punjab Zakat Department has approved a new pilot project to cover fines for prisoners who have completed their sentences but remain incarcerated due to an inability to pay penalties. A grant of Rs50 million has been allocated for this initiative. Additionally, the department has increased the monthly Zakat allowance for impoverished families living below the poverty line from Rs1,500 to Rs2,000. The Zakat marriage grant for underprivileged families has also been raised from Rs25,000 to Rs0.1 million. Furthermore, after a 13-month suspension, financial aid for over 0.3 million Zakat beneficiary families across the province will be resumed as an Eid gift before Eidul Fitr. To facilitate this, the government has been asked to release the Zakat deductions collected from banks during Ramadan. The Zakat Department has requested a detailed list of eligible inmates from the inspector general (IG) of prisons. The process of releasing these prisoners by paying their fines will begin a week before Eidul Fitr. According to jail sources, thousands of prisoners who have served their 5- to 10-year sentences remain in jails solely because they cannot afford to pay their fines.
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
11 months on, Zakat beneficiaries await aid
RAWALPINDI: Despite the first month of 2025 coming to an end, the severe financial crisis continues to prevent the disbursement of aid to 18,690 deserving individuals in the Rawalpindi division under Zakat and Baitul Mal programmes. These government welfare institutions meant to support the poor, widows, orphans, the visually impaired, and families of leprosy patients, are themselves facing a funding crisis. For the past 11 months, funds for Punjab Baitul Mal and the Zakat Department have remained frozen, leaving patients dependent on free treatment and dialysis at government hospitals in distress. Free surgeries and medications under the Zakat fund have also been completely halted. The suspension of the marriage grant programme has put weddings of underprivileged girls on hold, while aid for leprosy patients and visually impaired individuals has also been discontinued. The absence of appointed provincial and district chairpersons for Zakat for the past two years has rendered both Zakat and Punjab Baitul Mal ineffective. With the legal two-year tenure of Zakat committees expiring, all 42 district Zakat councils and 12,000 local committees across Punjab have dissolved. The system is now being run by temporary administratorsdeputy commissionerswho have not convened a single meeting in two years. Sources from the Zakat Department revealed to the Express Tribune that district Zakat chairpersons have been absent for three years, while local committee chairpersons have not been appointed for two years and five months. In Rawalpindi alone, the selection of 1,166 local Zakat committees remains pending. Every day, affected individuals visit Zakat offices only to return empty-handed. Shakila Bibi, a widow, lamented that she has not received financial aid for 11 months. Her application for a marriage grant to support her daughter's wedding was rejected due to a lack of funds. Visually impaired Mushkoor Ahmed also expressed frustration over the complete halt of financial assistance for blind individuals. Meanwhile, Nadia Begum, the mother of a leprosy patient, said, "We are even forbidden from begging due to our condition, yet we have not received any financial help for a year. Where should we go?" Deserving recipients of Zakat and Baitul Mal aid have urged authorities to immediately release the frozen funds to provide relief to those in desperate need.
