DHAKA, Jan 25, 2023 (BSS) – ‘Zakat Fund Management Bill-2022’ was passed in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) today aiming to ensure welfare of the poverty stricken Muslims through proper utilization of Zakat fund.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Faridul Haque Khan moved the bill in the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
It will replace the Zakat Fund Ordinance, 1982.
Placing the bill, the state minister said since an ordinance was promulgated during the regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, an opportunity was created to bring amendment to the ordinance.
Although Bangladesh is the second-largest Muslim country in the world, it performs poorly in Zakat (obligatory charity in Islam) collection and distribution and it is still unsystematic.
However, the obligatory charity that a well-off Muslim has to give Zakat annually can potentially lead to poverty alleviation and promote microfinance in the country.
Many Muslims give Zakat every year, but they don’t give it to any government or private charities as many of them are still unaware of the government’s Zakat collection and distribution system.
