As the holy month of Ramzan begins, Muslims around the world observe the religious obligation of Zakat, or giving to the poor. In Hyderabad, the Direct Zakat Movement is working to raise awareness about the importance of Zakat and the eligibility criteria for recipients based on Islamic teachings. The group emphasizes the importance of helping close relatives and those in need in order to alleviate poverty and promote economic self-reliance.
Founder Ishaq Masoor notes that after two years of pandemic-related hardship, many families are struggling with debt, and Zakat can help clear those debts. He explains that Islam orders the affluent to give donations in priority to their close relatives, citing evidence from the Quran and Hadith that “charity begins at home.”
Volunteers from the Direct Zakat Movement counsel families on making Zakat donations, and the group has spread awareness across various areas of Hyderabad as well as in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi. Zakat is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and is typically distributed during Ramzan. It is calculated as at least 2.5% of annual savings and distributed among the underprivileged.
In addition to monetary donations, many people are also distributing food and grocery kits to those in need. Social worker Ilyas Shamshi notes that several grocery stores are offering kits at various price points for distribution to the needy. A survey shows that 63% of Muslims in Hyderabad are below the poverty line, while 37% are financially stable and 2% are considered elite families.
