Qataris confident zakat donations will reach needy

By Nasser Elghanem in Doha
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-08-18

[Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images] Qataris pray outside the Ali bin Ali mosque in Doha.

Talis bin Ali al-Nimi was proud to make a 100 riyal donation to a zakat collector at the Filagio complex in Doha, Qatar.

"I chose to spend this money to help the afflicted. This is the best thing we can do during Ramadan," the 24-year-old Qatari told al-Shorfa.

When al-Nimi made his donation, the zakat collector gave him an official receipt -- something that assures him that his money is going to the right place.

Since charities are subject to strict regulations in Qatar in terms of recordkeeping and funds distribution, officials say it is unlikely that donations could be used to fund extremist operations.

"Charities in Qatar are well aware of their role. They know that donated money should be directed in the right way and allocated to its proper place," said Ahmad bin Ali, chairman of the zakat department at Qatar Charity.

"Native Qataris and foreign residents have complete confidence in charities in Qatar. That is why you notice the large amounts of money they receive annually, which makes it much easier to lend a helping hand to others in need. I think that the relief and humanitarian support we provide has come to be known around the world. Qatari charities are now present in areas with the greatest need," bin Ali said.

When asked about the possibility of charitable funds being diverted to armed or terrorist groups, Bin Ali said, "I do not think this could happen with Qatari charities. Most charities are monitored by the government. They are required to provide a statement showing the amount of money they receive, and a statement showing the money they spend for humanitarian relief."

Fahd bin Abdullah, president of the Association for the Welfare of Orphans and the Needy, also doubts that donations in Qatar will end up in the hands of terrorist groups.

"The money that charities receive in Qatar goes to those who deserve it. Not a single case was reported where money was paid to an organisation on a terrorist list," he said.

"This is not possible because both citizens and residents in Qatar know that there are competent authorities collecting these alms, and that the donations are going to authenticated and licensed charities. Citizens will not give their money to anonymous parties," he said.

Abdullah also said that individuals in Qatar have several means by which to donate money to charities, including giving money over the phone or placing money in designated boxes inside shopping malls.

Charities in Qatar are prohibited from placing donation boxes inside malls and other public spaces except with permission from the proper authorities.

"Muslims are aware of the necessity of passing their zakat to those who deserve it," said Sheikh Ibrahim Taha Al-Mulah, imam and preacher of Ansar Mosque in Doha.

"In our Ramadan sermons and lectures, we highlight the importance of directing zakat to those who deserve them. There are a few people who try to exploit this money for narrow interests, which would do wrong to this divine high obligation. However, in Qatar, we are aware of the importance of donating money to competent bodies that know where it should be spent," he said.

Qatar has 10 charities managed by Qatari boards of directors. Most of these charities have a branches in African nations suffering famine. These charities include Qatar Charity, Eid Charity, Raaf Charity, and the al-Daawa al-Islamia organisation.

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