A Non-Governmental Organization, Alqudus Islamic Development Mission (AIDM) with support from the Red Crescent Care for Life of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Dakar-based Embassy of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 7th August, 2013 distributed Zakat-ul-Fitr to over six hundred families in Kenema City and its environs.
The distribution took place at the Headquarters of the Alqudus Islamic Development Mission at 15 Moisia Street in Kenema City.
Prior to the distribution exercise, the National Manager and Founder of the Alqudus Islamic Development Mission and also Chief Imam of Kenema District, Alhaji Abdul Karim Morie Junisa explained Zakat-ul- Fitri as an Arabic word meaning alms at the end of the month of Ramadan.
He said providing food for all persons to ensure that they eat well to mark the feast of of Eid-ul-Fitr is a demonstration of concern for the poor and needy and it is a condition in Islam for persons who can afford it to do so in order that Allah accepts their fasts.
He said the food distribution is part of series of assistance the Alqudus Mission is providing to communities in Sierra Leone through the help of individuals and organizations in the Arab world.
He described the Alqudus Mission as a non-political humanitarian organization with a mission to unite Muslims and to spread Islam through development of education, agriculture, health and sanitation, water and sanitation and the provision of social amenities.
He recalled that the Alqudus Islamic Development Mission was founded on 24th April, 1984, to contribute to the propagation of Islam and to help the needy. He revealed that since its inception it has 79 primary schools, 3 Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and 2 Islamic Institutes nationwide to its credit.
He disclosed that the distribution was facilitated by the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nah Yan charity organization through the collaborative effort of Abubakar Mohamed Borbu Sheriff and Sheik Mohamed Turay, the United Arab Emirate representative in Dakar.
He also disclosed that the Red Crescent of the Arab Emirates recently provided funding for the construction of three water wells in Kenema City and four fenced hand pumped water wells in Torkpumbu, Kondebotihun, Simbeck and Nyandeyama Sections.
Earlier in his opening statement, Chairman of the ceremony, Alhaji Jobo Bockarie Swaray thanked the UAE for the gesture which he described as haven came at “the right time” marking the end of the month of fasting. He said the food items would be appreciated by the beneficiaries because they were receiving the items at a time they needed them most.
The women leader of the Alqudus Islamic Development Mission in Kenema District, Massah Yoko thanked the donor for thinking about them and offered special prayers for the Mission and its partners.
By Saffa Moriba
August 13, 2013
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