Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain on Tuesday said the government’s zakat fund is playing a significant role in alleviating poverty, and strengthening this fund can accelerate poverty eradication efforts across the country.
He made the remarks while distributing zakat funds among the local underprivileged and destitute people at a programme held on the premises of Babunagar Jame Mosque in Satkania upazila of Chattogram.
“The zakat money received from the government fund must be used in a planned and productive manner,” Khalid said while addressing the recipients.
“You should invest this assistance to become self-reliant and establish yourselves in society.”
He urged the beneficiaries to engage in income-generating activities such as cattle and poultry farming, fish cultivation, vegetable production, and setting up cottage industries. “Such initiatives will accelerate the process of poverty reduction,” he added.
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Dr Khalid also called upon affluent individuals to contribute their zakat to the government fund. “If we can strengthen the government zakat fund, we will be able to change the fate of the country’s poor and improve the overall socio-economic condition,” he said.
At the event, a total of Tk 6.15 lakh was distributed among 64 underprivileged individuals from various professions and backgrounds.