– it’s Independent Zakat, Sadaqat agency for underserved Muslims in Lagos

– Set for first public presentation on Saturday, July 6

The Board of Trustees’ (BoT) Secretary of the newly floated IBILE Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Alhaji Nasir Giwa, has clarified that the foundation has no link with the Lagos Central Mosque or Jama’atul Muslimeen Council.

He said IBILE was not established by the Lagos Central Mosque and it was never intended that any liabilities or consequences arising from the foundation’s actions should be attributed to the central mosque.

Alhaji Giwa, however, maintained that IBILE Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation is authentic and directed at achieving the injunctions of the Almighty Allah.

His statements were in reaction to a publication made by Alhaji Sikiru Macfoy in The Nation Newspaper of Friday, June 25, 2024 on behalf of the Lagos Central Mosque.

Alhaji Macfoy had distanced the Lagos Central Mosque from the activities of the IBILE Muslims Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, saying they won’t be held responsible for the liabilities arising from the actions of the foundation.

According to him, “The Lagos Central Mosque categorically wish to bring to the notice of the general public (particularly the Muslims) that the IBILE Muslims Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation was not established by the Lagos Central Mosque and the Jama’atul Muslimeen Council. Therefore, any liabilities or consequences arising from the foundation’s actions shall not be attributed to the Lagos Central Mosque.”

Alhaji Macfoy said the publication became necessary following inquiries from various quarters about the IBILE Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, which carries the name of a strong member of the Lagos Central Mosque as Chairman of its Board of Trustees.

Responding, Alhaji Giwa, the BoT Secretary said the Foundation is an independent entity, set up, constituted and registered by well-meaning and notable Muslim residents across the five divisions of Lagos State led by the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos and the five divisional Chief Imams and the Ratibis under them.

“The attention of the IBILE Muslims Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has been drawn to a publication made by Alhaji Sikiru Macfoy, in The Nation Newspaper on Friday, June 25th, 2024 on behalf of the Lagos Central Mosque. The said publication concerns our Foundation, IBILE Muslims Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation,” his statement read.

“It is correct that IBILE was not established by the Lagos Central Mosque/Jamatul Muslimeen Council and it was never intended that any liabilities or consequences arising from the Foundation’s actions shall be attributed to the Lagos Central Mosque.”

Alhaji Giwa said IBILE was established because there was no unifying body currently handling zakat, sadaqah and waqf in the state.

“Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and obligatory upon all Muslims who have the capacity to pay. Its essence is about the need to promote sustainable culture of circulation of wealth within the society, thereby ensuring that everyone has immediate access to basic human necessities. It will also help to reduce the economic disparity and promote solidarity among the people in the society while Sadaqat and Waqf are established charitable acts encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and rewarded by Almighty Allah.

“If well implemented through effective policies, such divinely inspired socio-economic institutions have the potential of transforming the economic well-being of the people, thereby leading a potentially viable future where poverty will have been drastically alleviated.

“In view of the absence of a unifying body currently handling the issue of Zakat, Sadaqat and Waqf in the State and considering the present economic situation and poverty level of Muslims and a lot of Lagosians, the Foundation was conceptualized and set up for the sole objective to utilize Zakat, Sadaqat, and Waqf in accordance with Allah’s prescriptions in the Qur’an and the Sunnah to achieve our objectives.”

The BoT Secretary said the activities of the foundation are not hidden, adding, “Members of our Board of Trustees are publicly listed on our website, social media handles, and our objectives are transparent and legitimate.”

“We daresay that the Foundation is not in competition with any body or group of persons or organizations. It is set up to simply provide an avenue for willing Muslims and other well-endowed residents across the five divisions of Lagos State to fulfill their obligations and to also reach out to the indigent Lagosians.”

He said the foundation counts on the support of good-hearted residents of Lagos to achieve its objective of benefitting Lagos Muslims, indigent Lagosians and humanity at large.

“We also reiterate that the public presentation of the Foundation is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 6th, 2024 at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos. We look forward to receiving all residents of Lagos State, our distinguished invited guests and the executive council of Lagos Central Mosque,” he noted.