H.E. Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, participated on Monday morning, 17 Sha’aban 1442 corresponding to 29 March 2021, in the global event organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, for launching the annual report for the year 2020 on Islamic charitable activities focusing in particular on the UNHCR’s activities and events in receiving Zakat funds and distributing them to refugees and displaced persons.

In his opening speech, H.E. Dr. Ayid bin Dabsan al-Qahtani, the CEO of the Sheikh Thani Ibn Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services, said that UNHCR’s programs are subject to transparent governance systems to ensure that Zakat funds are disbursed to refugees promptly and in a way that preserves their human dignity, in accordance with the provisions of the noble Shariah. He also pointed out that the Commission provides money to the needy, as they are prioritized according to their needs and those of their families, so the principle of putting money in the hands of the needy is a commendable action. He concluded by saying that the provision of shelter, care and security by the UNHCR, aims to strengthen the role of Zakat in enabling refugees to live in dignity.

H.E. Koutoub Sano then delivered a speech that confirmed that the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, as the leading jurisprudential reference in the Muslim world, plays a vital role in calling on wealthy people to pay their Zakat and charity to support the cause of refugees and displaced people who are suffering under the yoke of misery and difficult living conditions. His Excellency pointed out that the Academy plays a critical role in explaining the provisions of Shariah and that these refugees are entitled to Zakat as they are included among the characteristics of Zakat recipients mentioned in the Holy Quran.

His Excellency commended the role played by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a trusted intermediary between the donors of Zakat and the beneficiaries and praised the Commission’s commitment to the foundations of effective governance based on transparency integrity and clarity. He explained that what UNHCR is doing regarding the appropriation of funds to those in need is a very important and appreciated action to preserve their human dignity and understand their difficult conditions.

His Excellency took the opportunity to remind the UNHCR of the importance of providing educational opportunities for refugees and displaced persons and attention and care for children, women, and the elderly, affirming the Academy’s full confidence in the Commission’s activities. His Excellency also asked the Commission to pay attention to the issue of how to benefit from Awqaf to pay its income to the refugees and displaced people in addition to the Zakat money paid to them, quoting the hadith of the Prophet (SAW), ” The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.”

At the end of this event, His Excellency answered the questions of the journalists by stressing the enormous importance of the commitment of every capable person to pay Zakat annually according to the divine command, in order to show the spirit of responsibility, and to fight against poverty and misery in society, which is a disease that must be eradicated and treated like any disease to which a person is exposed, therefore requires solidarity and coordination of efforts to fight it.