Petro-Political Zakat

You know what I don't think I've ever heard?  I can't recall ever hearing, from the mavens of justice in the world, that the countries in North Africa and Middle East -- Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia -- should take on more of a role in stabilizing sub-Saharan Africa.  These northern  "oil sands countries" are rich beyond belief, strictly by dint of oil being found underneath them, not through any hard work or cleverness on their part, but by accident of birth.  Their neighbors to the south -- genetically and culturally similar -- have endemic disease and poverty and bad government and their people do not get to race Lamborghinis down the boulevard.

Funny. Does the Islamic concept of Zakat not apply to them?

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Help us fulfill our promise to support orphans, sustain widows, provide clean water in drought-affected areas, build shelters for refugees, pave the path to success with education, provide life-saving health services and much more! When you give Zakat now, you are ensuring those in need are taken care of regardless of what's going on in the world.

What Is Zakat? The Arabic word Zakat means purification. It is a means of purifying one’s assets through fulfilling the obligation of one of the five pillars in Islam. Zakat allows us to appreciate what we have by sharing with others in need.

Who Is Eligible for Zakat? Allah say in Surah Tawbah verse 60, “Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”

Zakat given to Helping Hand USA is distributed to those who need it most, in accordance with Islamic guidelines.