Zakat Committee allocates RO37,000 to support the needy in Muttrah
The Zakat Committee in Muttrah is distributing food baskets worth over RO37,000 among needy families, laid off workers and expatriates. This is in addition to over 900 iftar meals prepared daily by the committee in its efforts to enhance social solidarity this Ramadan.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Salim bin Mohammed al Ghamari, Chairman of Zakat Committee in Muttrah, said, “Zakat committees are administered by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The Muttrah committee aims to support 500 needy families this Ramadan.”
Each family will be supported with a food basket that contains rice, flour, coffee, sugar, tomato paste, dates, powdered milk and other items valued at around RO25. The committee will also give them vouchers worth RO20 to buy vegetables and fruits and RO30 for various other items.
“The committee also distributes more than 900 iftar meals daily in mosques in Muttrah and to students from low-income families,” Ghamari informed.
The committee has a stringent monitoring and selection process to identify its beneficiaries. “If someone approaches us to receive zakat or donations, we ask them to submit a bank statement, salary certificate of the applicant or of any other working family member, rent details, utility expenses, and loan installment details,” Ghamari added.
“We calculate the income of the whole family and decide if the applicant is eligible for zakat. We pay an amount based on the number of family members. If the family is big, we pay a bigger amount.”
Every wilayat in the sultanate has a zakat committee connected to a central database. Applications for assistance in more than one wilayat are automatically rejected. “We have a clear and transparent system. If someone wishes to know where we have distributed zakat, we can provide a statement of our transactions – where and to whom we have paid his or her zakat amount. The details will include the names and phone numbers of beneficiaries. They can be called directly if anyone wants to crosscheck.”
In 2023, the Zakat Committee in Muttrah allocated over RO306,379 for various Ramadan programmes.
The programmes are wideranging and include Zakat, Sadakh, Eid Meat, Eid Clothing, Orphan Sponsorship, Student Sponsorship and Family Empowerment.
Those interested in contributing directly to the Zakat Committee in Muttrah can call on 96774459 or contact via Zakat_mutrah on Instagram.
500 families will receive food baskets having items valued at RO25, vouchers of RO20 for vegetables and fruits and RO30 for other items MOHAMMED AL GHAMARI