The goal of the SCHS Zakat campaign this year is to Collect 12 million, 360 thousand and 66 AED
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 makes the difference," 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.
A clear and tangible difference
Sheikha Jameela explained the significance of the slogan as follows: "This year's campaign slogan is an invitation to members of the community to contribute their Zakat to the education of people with disabilities." It demonstrates how Zakat improves the lives of individuals with disabilities and their parents in a noticeable and practical way and helps to create a more unified community.
She added, “Through the Zakat campaign, SCHS hopes to establish itself as a prominent civil institution in the social and humanitarian work map, increase awareness of its role in containing, empowering, and supporting people with disabilities of various nationalities and disabilities, remind everyone who wants to contribute and pay Zakat to SCHS, increase the percentage and number of people who do so, and eventually provide education fees for individuals with disabilities who cannot afford them.”
12 million, 360 thousand and 66 AED
This year, the campaign aims to provide 12 million, 360 thousand and 66 AED to pay the tuition fees for 509 students from SCHS with disabilities who are eligible for Zakat funds according to Sharia regulations. According to the estimated budget of the Zakat Funds Disbursement Committee for 2025-2026 AD.
Islamic legal ruling
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.
Education is one of the legitimate uses of Zakat funds.
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 makes the difference," 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”.
Serving people with disabilities since 1979
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.
Actual cost
“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.
According to Sheikha Jameela, SCHS receives 29% of its funding from the Sharjah government, 22% from zakat funds, 28% from donations and endowment management, and 21% from tuition fees and other activities to cover the operational costs of providing education, training, rehabilitation, and treatment services for individuals with disabilities.
The president of SCHS expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the Sharjah government as well as the following partners, sponsors, and supporters of the Zakat campaign:
"Partners": Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Dubai Islamic Bank.
"Sponsors": Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, Gibca Group of Companies, Nazo Building Materials Trading Company.
"Media Sponsors": Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Site Global Company, Rimal International Advertising and Publicity Company.
Receiving donations
For his part, Mr. Jihad Abdel Qader, the general coordinator of the Zakat campaign, explained that Your Zakat makes the difference will receive donations via bank transfer to the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services accounts at:
Sharjah Islamic Bank AE060410000011203320004
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank AE290500000000010260597
Dubai Islamic Bank AE960240007580560448601
Via SMS:
6196 to donate 20 AED
6619 to donate 50 AED
6618 to donate 100 AED
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.