The Islamic Fiqh Academy Calls on Governments and Institutions to Allocate a Portion of Zakat and Donations to UNRWA

SadaNews - The International Islamic Fiqh Academy issued a statement regarding the distribution of Zakat to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of the Palestinians in the occupied territories.

The statement mentioned, "Based on the position of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, which emanates from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as the foremost global juristic reference for the Islamic Ummah; and out of a sense of responsibility towards various issues facing the Ummah; and fulfilling its religious duty to clarify the legal rulings on contemporary issues and providing effective solutions to modern life problems, and all issues that concern Muslims around the world; and based on the legal texts cited in the Holy Quran, the honorable Sunnah, and the rich Islamic heritage that emphasize the bonds of faith connecting Muslims and command them to cooperate and show compassion to one another, and what should be the state of Muslims in terms of love, compassion, and empathy in their relations, as well as their duties towards each other in times of hardship, calamities, and misfortunes, therefore the Academy affirms that the issue of refugees and displaced persons in the Palestinian territories is primarily a humanitarian one. It also emphasizes that the concepts of refuge and displacement are directly related to the higher religious objectives that heavenly laws call to preserve, with the preservation of life being one of the foremost objectives and essential interests, and that there is an offshoot of preserving the human dignity of the refugees and displaced by enabling them to attain a decent life and providing appropriate health care.

In this context, the Academy reaffirms its decision numbered 18/3) 165) regarding activating the role of Zakat in combating poverty, organizing its collection and distribution, which includes provisions such as (Fifth: Other disbursements of Zakat: those who work in its administration, which in contemporary application includes institutions and administrations designated to collect Zakat from the wealthy and distribute it to the poor in accordance with religious regulations.

It is essential for the Zakat institution to have financial and administrative independence from other state bodies, while being subjected to supervision and oversight to ensure transparency and adherence to administrative guidance regulations. The institutions legally authorized to collect and distribute Zakat operate as custodians without guaranteeing the destruction of the funds in their possession except in cases of misuse or negligence, and the obligation of the Zakat payer is fulfilled upon handing over the Zakat to these institutions).

Recognizing the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), based on its honorable record in saving lives and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians, the Academy calls on the governments of Islamic countries, Muslim communities, charitable institutions, and benefactors around the world to allocate a portion of their Zakat, donations, and contributions to the UNRWA to enable it to meet the needs of the defenseless Palestinians in the occupied territories, in accordance with the provisions of the Council's decision mentioned above.