MORE WOMEN PREFER TO GIVE ON THEIR OWN

More Muslim women are coming forward to make the zakat donations on their assets, mostly gold, as mandated by Islamic laws. This is being attributed to awareness on the subject through the social media.

“In past, the men donated zakat on behalf of the women, but with many Muslim women working, they are themselves calculating and donating it,” said Ahmednagar corporator Ayesha Rubina.

With the women also paying zakat, the total donations of any family have increased significantly. School principal Maherunnisa said the zakat amount is increasing with the value of gold. “As against `20,000 about five years ago, I am now paying about `35,000 zakat on gold. The amount also includes the zakat calculated on the rent,” she said.

“Calculating the value of the assets is must for reaching to the accurate amount you have to pay,” said a woman Islamic scholar. Saroornagar police, on Friday, contributed `53,600 to a woman who works at the police station when she appealed for financial help towards the marriage of her daughter

S. Lingaiah, Inspector of the Saroornagar police station said that Shameem Begum — who is an employee of a private firm to whom the station has outsourced the work of maintaining the cleanliness at the station — approached them with an appeal for their help.

“She came to me days ago asking if I could help her for the marriage preparations of her daughter. I requested my police station staff to contribute money. All of us contributed in different sums and were able to help Shameem with `53,600. I am happy we did a noble contribution,” shared the official.

Shameem and her daughter Reshma who will be married on June 22, expressed gratitude for the help by the Saroornagar police. “The police are really nice and they have shown their generosity by helping a total stranger like me. I am very thankful to everyone who helped me in starting a new life soon,” said Reshma.