EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE LEGITIMATE EXPENSES OF ZAKAT MONEY
As the holy month of Ramadan draws near, Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), wished the Arab and Islamic countries well and prayed that God Almighty would return favor, blessings, and prosperity to everyone.
Under the motto "Your Zakat for Our Education," which is a true expression of admirable ideals and social solidarity, Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela urged people and organizations in the community to support and endorse the "Zakat Campaign" that SCHS has been holding every year since 1989 during the holy month. Her Excellency emphasized that everyone in society has a shared responsibility to support this endeavor.
To cover the tuition costs of 492 male and female students with disabilities at SCHS who are eligible for zakat funds under Islamic law and the estimated budget of the Zakat Funds Disbursement Committee 2024-2025 AD, the campaign this year seeks to raise 11 million, 796 thousand, and 764 dirhams.
The Permanent Fatwa Committee's decision that the Emirate of Sharjah allows the collecting, acceptance, and distribution of zakat to people with disabilities serves as the foundation for this initiative. The SCHS specialist committee considers the social and economic situations of families of people with disabilities and determines precisely who is "needy" based on their inability to meet basic needs, pay for tuition, or make ends meet due to the high cost of treatment or education.
SCHS’s President said, “In order to promote family stability and a stable source of income, education is seen as one of the acceptable uses of Zakat funds. This trend is reflected in the slogan "Your Zakat for our Education," which aligns with the humanitarian services' guiding principles, objectives, and interest in empowering individuals with disabilities both cognitively and scientifically in accordance with the most recent and best international practices”.
According to Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela the concerns of people with disabilities have been incorporated into SCHS's methodology, mission, and vision since its establishment in 1979. To continue offering its educational services in line with the most recent standards and trends, SCHS has also been eager to spread the word about the campaign among the community and encourage them to support it, offer suitable assistance in all areas, and donate zakat funds.
“Tuition rates at SCHS range from AED 20,000 to AED 80,000, depending on the type of disability and the services required, even though the average cost for a single student throughout the academic year is AED 30,000. SCHS constantly aims to live up to its promise and commitment to offer everyone education, rehabilitation, counseling, and family assistance”, added Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela.
She noted that the educational, therapeutic, and training programs offered by SCHS to its students of different nationalities and disabilities helped 1,143 people with disabilities in the current academic year alone.
According to Sheikha Jameela, the Sharjah government contributes 29% of SCHS's financial resources, followed by zakat funds (22%), donations and endowment management (28%), tuition fees and other activities (21%), and other sources. This arrangement covers the operational costs of providing education, training, rehabilitation, and treatment services for individuals with disabilities.
The Director General of SCHS extended her sincere thanks to the Government of Sharjah and to the partners, sponsors, and supporters of the Zakat campaign. They are: (Partners: Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank. Sponsors are Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority. The Media Sponsors are Sharjah Broadcasting and Television Authority, Site Global Company, and Rimal International Advertising Company).
Donations will be received via bank transfers to the accounts of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services at the Sharjah Islamic Bank, AE060410000011203320004.
And Dubai Islamic Bank AE960240007580560448601
And Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank AE290500000000010260597
Additionally, brothers who would like to donate can contact SCHS by texting 0562160222, and anyone who would like to speak over the phone can do so by calling as well. A SCHS representative will then be able to come pick up the donations.