For our Muslim donors, Kijana Kwanza has a dedicated facility to collect and distribute zakat funds. All zakat funds are fully allocated to one of the eight beneficiary groups as detailed in the Holy Qur’an, without any other deductions (except card and PayPal fees, which are taken by our payment provider, over which we have no control).
There are 2 types of zakat funds.
Zakat al-Mal
Often referred to simply as Zakat, Zakat al-Mal constitutes the most significant of zakat categories. However, it is only mandatory on Muslims whose financial position has reached a minimum threshold. In summary, it is valued at 2.5% of net savings and assets, which are not used for your general living costs. More detailed criteria on calculating Zakat al-Mal is available online.
We use zakat funds to meet the living costs, healthcare and education of eligible children and young people in our care. We do not normally offer donors the opportunity to select specific projects or services because it can sometimes put undue burden on ensuring that funds reach only eligible beneficiaries as we often provide generic services, which may included non-zakat eligible beneficiaries.
Zakat al-Fitr
This is a special category of zakat that is due on the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, which is mandatory on all Muslims. Zakat al-Fitr is traditionally distributed as staple foods so that Muslims pay celebrate the festivities of Eid al-Fitr.
There are a range of opinions amongst Muslim scholars of different denominations on the quantity or equivalent value of food that absolves a Muslim of the obligation to pay Zakat al-Fitr. However, in recognition that we provide a universal service to all Muslim donors and beneficiaries, we collect and distribute the highest value, so that we can comply with all religious opinions.
Based on our local circumstances we distribute Zakat al-Fitr as a cash grant to eligible recipients, as it is not feasible or suitable to provide a quantity of a single staple food item.
If donors have any additional requirements on how they wish for their Zakat al-Fitr to be distributed, please contact us to see if we can accommodate your request.