THE Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation has inaugurated its technical advisory and compliance committee.
The committee consists of experienced scholars, academics and captains of industry who are vast in Islamic knowledge.
Its membership includes Professor Abd Razak Alaro (University of Ilorin), Dr Basheer Oshodi (Chief Executive, ArthurTrust), Professor Abdul Kabir Paramole (Lagos State University), Professor Luqman Zakariyah (University of Abuja), Professor Luqman Adedeji (University of Lagos), Mrs Sarwi Rahaman (Head, Public Sector Sales, Airtel Nigeria), Mrs Saidat Otiti (Founder, Baytuzeenah Limited), Imam Maruf Okusanya (Senior Lecturer, Darudawah Islamic School) and Dr Umar Oseni (Secretary General, OICAC).
In an address during the inauguration, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, charged the committee members to bring their wealth of knowledge to bear.
Sheikh Abou-Nolla emphasised the foundation’s commitment to the full implementation of the aims and objectives of the foundation.
He thanked the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the state deputy governor, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Tokunboh Abiru and other individuals who have been supporting the foundation since inception
The secretary of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mr Nasir Giwa, said the technical advisory and compliance committee is saddled with the responsibility of supporting the operation and governance of the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, among other terms of references.
The inauguration, which was conducted via videoconferencing, had in attendance a former Chief Imam of the University of Lagos, Professor Muritala Bidmos, who was the keynote speaker for the occasion.
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In his speech, Professor Bidmos underscored the importance of the organisation, highlighting how it came into existence at a time when the society is filled with zakat foundations.
He commended the efforts of individuals and organisations who elected to be ‘the ambassadors of the change we desire in the Muslim communities.”
Professor Bidmos brought to the fore the questions of zakat, sadaqah and waqf and how it could be used to help out-of-school children, the level of poverty among the Muslim ummah, the methods of collection and distribution of zakat and the population of Muslims in the banking and legal sectors to serve as guidelines for the committee.
He reiterated the goal of the foundation, which is to serve Allah through diligent management of the institutions of aakat, sadaqah and waqf.
Using the Qur’an as a reference point, Professor Bidmos said the rationale behind these three institutions is to prevent undue concentration and stagnation of the wealth in a few hands and make Muslims aware that their wealth increases and expands by paying zakat or giving sadaqah and waqf.
According to him, what is given to the recipients of zakat, as listed in the Qur’an, is their right and not a favour.
Professor Bidmos urged Muslims to recognise the fact that the wealth from which zakat or sadaqah is taken is Allah’s wealth simply put in the custody of the paying Muslim as a trust.
He stressed the potency of zakat in promoting affection and brotherhood among Muslims.
He explained that Ibile Zakat Foundation deemed it fit to seek assistance from Muslim personalities who have the competence and the right professional expertise in finance and zakat management.
The inauguration event was graced by the members of the Board of Trustees the foundation, among other notable Muslims.
Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation is an Islamic organisation created with the aim of aiding the needy and improving social and economic empowerments within the Muslim community.
