It was a joyous moment for residents of Fatade Compound and its environs at the weekend when foremost Islamic charitable organization, the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, distributed used and new items, such as clothes and shoes, donated by Muslims for the benefit of the people.
The event, tagged “Infaqul Afuwu,” (Giving out of Excess), was held over the weekend at Fatade Compound along Baruwa- Ipaja Ayobo Road, Alimosho, Lagos.
The State Coordinator of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Mr. Sulaimon Shitta, while addressing the residents, highlighted some of the activities of the foundation.
According to him, the foundation collects zakat from Muslims and distribute such to indigent Muslims and non-Muslims who need it for educational support, debt relief, economic empowerment and health challenges.
He explained that Infaqul Afuwu is one of the foundation’s programmes which entails collection of items that are not being used by people but can be useful for others.
“These items are collected by the organization and distributed to those who need them. Clothes, shoes kitchen utensils, home appliances, furniture and so on that are in excess or no longer being used by people are collected. Those that need repairs will be repaired by Z and S and put into good shape before they are distributed to people that need them.”
Also speaking, the representative of the Executive Director of the Foundation, Alhaji Gawata Lukmon, explained that the programme has started long ago in Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, Benin, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Osun states, noting that it only started in Lagos state two years back.
He explained that Infaqul Afuwu is one of the aspects of Sadaqa (Alms giving) that should be highly encouraged and replicated among the people.
Gawata said giving out excess items for the benefit of others sometimes has advantage more than using money for Sadaqa.
Quoting copiously from the Holy Qur’an, the Zakat and Sadaqat official emphasized that both the givers of the items and the recipients will have their rewards with Allah once they have good intentions.
Residents, who were visibly happy and appreciative of the gesture, trooped out in their numbers to pick the items of their choice.
The old, the young and little ones were not left out of the exercise.
The high point of the programme was the presentation of symbolic gifts to selected residents, who at the end, expressed appreciation to the foundation for bringing the programme to their community.
One of them, Olori Jimoh Fatade, said the event was highly beneficial to residents of the community, while praying for more progress and successes for the foundation.
Some of those who graced the occasion were the Otun Baale of Fatade community, Alhaji Tella Hussein Taiwo, Lagos State Female Coordinator, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Hajia Khadija Hussein, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation Coordinator, Alimosho, Mr. Jamiu Badrudeen and the Female Coordinator for Alimosho, Hajia Toyyiba Afolabi.
Below are the pictures from the event:
