The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday inaugurated the 1444 AH Zakat distribution in the state.
Abubakar, who performed the inauguration in Sokoto, said that the gesture was in fulfillment of an Islamic obligation to ease the sufferings of the less- privileged in the society.
The sultan, represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, urged the beneficiaries to pray for those who gave out the Zakat, as enshrined in Islam.
“We should always pray for those who give Zakat as enshrined in Islam. Wealthy individuals should be mindful of the necessity of giving out Zakat. It protects and increases wealth,” he said.
The sultan appreciated the State Zakat and Endowment Commission (SOZECOM) for its dedication in propagating the importance of giving Zakat in the society.
Earlier, the SOZECOM Executive Chairman, Malam Muhammad Maidoki, said that the commission received a total sum of N27 million from individuals as Zakat.
“We have secured the donation of 21 sewing machines, 16 grinding machines and 13 deep freezers from individuals and organisations.
“These include: three deep freezers, one sewing machine and one grinding machine from Fidelity Bank Plc for widows’ empowerment.
“In general, the cash received and other endowment items will be distributed to no fewer than 350 beneficiaries,” he said.
Maidoki stated further that the commission had also received animal Zakat from the farms of Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and Toro-Jarma in the state.
He said the animals included: five cows and a goat, which would be shared among five beneficiaries, while one of the cows was reserved for the students of Jarma Academy, who were made orphans by insurgency.
