Jalna: Emphasising that Zakat should not be viewed merely as an individual act of worship but implemented as an organised social and economic system, an important meeting was held in Jalna in connection with the establishment of Zakat Centre India. The meeting was presided over by Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Chunawala, Member of the Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband (Waqf Mumbai) and Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Hafiz Shabbir Ahmed, followed by introductory remarks by Abdul Waheed, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Jalna. He said that Zakat is a fundamental pillar of Islam that promotes justice, equality, and self-reliance in society, and explained why the establishment of Zakat Centre India in Jalna was necessary.
On the occasion, Abdul Haseeb Bhatkar, Assistant Ameer Halqua, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maharashtra, presented a detailed introduction to Zakat Centre India. He informed that the organisation was established as a registered trust in June 2022 and has since set up branches in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Bhiwandi, Nanded, and Parbhani. He described the establishment of a Zakat Centre in Jalna as an urgent need of the time and explained the working methodology of the institution. Referring to Mumbai, he said that people who were once Zakat recipients have collectively deposited nearly eight lakh rupees as Zakat – reflecting the core objective of Zakat Centre India to gradually reduce the number of Zakat recipients.
In his presidential address, Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala said that Zakat is not merely a matter of a few coins but the economic backbone of the Ummah. If implemented in a collective, transparent, and organised manner, it can effectively address issues such as poverty, unemployment, and social imbalance.
During the programme, the establishment of Zakat Centre India in Jalna was formally announced. Details of those entrusted with its responsibilities will be presented later.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Shaikh Abdul Mujeeb, Coordinator of the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims, expressed gratitude to the participants, while Shaikh Ismail served as the convener of the programme. The meeting concluded with a supplication by Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala.
A large number of philanthropists and prominent citizens of Jalna attended this intellectual and reform-oriented gathering and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the collective system of Zakat.
