Zakat Fund distinguishes itself this year in its Ramadan Iftar party
From the fragrance of goodness that emanates from the holy month of Ramadan, the Zakat Fund in Lebanon, affiliated with Dar Al-Fatwa, held a massive Iftar party in Biel under the patronage of His Eminence the Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, and in the presence of MP Mohammad Khawaja, representing the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Minister of Interior Judge Bassam Mawlawi, representing the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and representatives of former prime ministers, heads of Islamic sects, current and former ministers and representatives, and many political, religious, judicial, social, union, military and media figures, and heads of Islamic bodies and associations. The ceremony began with a documentary about the work and activities of the Zakat Fund, followed by a speech by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zakat Fund, Consul Muhammad Al-Jawzo, in which he stressed: The Fund will enhance its role in society through programs, services and projects that target needy social groups, and that the ambition is to increase the number of beneficiaries of the Fund to the largest possible number. The intention is, thanks to God and then thanks to your support and assistance, to draw joy on people’s faces and bring happiness to their hearts. We ask God Almighty that the number of needy people will decrease and our country, Lebanon, will flourish. This ambition can only be achieved through cooperation with the Lebanese Expatriate Wing, whose banner was first carried by Hajj Nabih Sidani, may God have mercy on him. Expatriation is one of the pillars of the national economy and has supported charitable work for a long time, especially in these exceptional circumstances. From this standpoint, we will be in direct contact with our people abroad by establishing branches of the Zakat Fund abroad. Mufti Daryan's speech put the points of success and trust on the letters of the Zakat Fund's work and said: The fund represents a response to the increasing needs of broad categories of people, who were affected by the circumstances of internal wars. Although the Zakat Funds helped hundreds of thousands, their most important successes were in their continuity, as we are in about the fortieth year of the Fund's life, and it is still standing and even thriving. The secret to this prosperity is divided into three parts:
First: The purity of intentions of those who established it, and nothing exceeds sincerity in the success of institutions.
Second: Trust in society and its elders since the Fund was established by the pillars and arms of society, who founded, inherited, and made, and continue to make, new and advanced in goodness and giving.
As for the third part in the success of the Zakat community, it is the community itself that has come with all its cadres to the Fund, donating and establishing, and gifts in work and initiative.
The Zakat Fund has re-created the community of goodness in Lebanon, and the poor have a refuge and a destination to go to, and has pushed many to renew their awareness of social duties and ethics, and to pay attention to making new and advanced.
He added: What should be said amidst these challenges is that the political community, which should have played a positive role in putting things right, is not doing the minimum of its duties.
We are in situations where it is no longer possible to conceal or read minds. Therefore, I point the finger of blame at the group that is most responsible for our misery and unhappiness. It is the political community that needs to be corrected and to regain a sense of national responsibility.
Dar Al-Fatwa is keen on Lebanon and the rights of all its components under the umbrella of the state and its institutions, and relies on the wisdom of officials to find solutions to our crises, foremost among which is the election of a president of the republic who brings together the Lebanese and rules between the authorities, so that he may be the example and model of a righteous ruler who cares for his people.
Then, Mufti Derian awarded the Medal of Goodness to former Minister Leila Solh Hamadeh, Vice President of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation, based on the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Zakat Fund, in appreciation of her distinguished contributions and giving and her pioneering humanitarian role in the field of social, charitable and zakat work. Al-Jawzo also presented the Fund’s shield on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Zakat Fund as a token of love and appreciation. Minister Al-Solh interacted with the honor and said: Today, God has completed His blessings upon me and honored me in my nation and religion… Thank you to His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian for granting me this medal in appreciation of my work… And thank you to the Chairman of the Zakat Fund, Mr. Mohammed Al-Jawzo, for making room to honor the Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation, which has been and will remain alongside Islamic institutions and also alongside the Zakat Fund.
