Iftaar Project
Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it is a holy month for the Muslims. The social cohesion among the community members is well emphasized and embodied in this holy month. The well-off people are normally of the habit to donate generously to feed the poor and needy people.
Muslims do believe that to feed a fasting person is highly rewarded by Almighty Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states in one of his sayings that; "Whoever feeds a fasting person has the same reward as him, except that the reward of the fasting person will not be diminished."
Ramadhan is therefore having many implications among the Muslim communities. It is a month of fasting, giving charity, supplication, repentance, cleansing oneself and abstaining from bad and immoral things.
One major activity QC is undertaking every year – during this Muslim festivity – is to provide support to the poor and vulnerable communities in the form of food – either packed or cooked - in different areas of Pakistan.
During 2007, this project has benefited 47,917 beneficiaries in various parts of the country. An amount of $64,000 has been disbursed to implement this activity.
Sacrifice Project (Qurbani) Sacrifice or "Qurbani" is an essential religious rite in memory of the sacrifice performed by Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and later on by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The aim of sacrifice is to imbibe piety and self righteousness. It also promotes the spirit of sacrifice for a right cause.
Qurbani, is essential for one who has the financial means and savings that remain surplus to his own needs over the year. In this case, the concerned is required to perform the sacrifice ritual in the place where he lives. However, Qurbani can also be offered for the needy people wherever they are.
All the permissible domesticated or reared quadrupeds can be offered for Qurbani. Generally, slaughter of goats, sheep, rams, cows, and camels is offered.
Qatar Charity is used to celebrate every year this Islamic festivity with the poor. Ideally, the priority is given to the people who cannot afford buying meat so often in order to cater for their nutritional needs.
In such cases, the vulnerable people are usually the poor or those who are suffering due to wars or any kind of civil unrest, economic burdens or natural disasters.
During the year 2007, Qatar Charity Pakistan Country Office has disbursed an amount of USD 118,967 to implement this project. QC managed to support 37,625 beneficiaries in various parts of the country.
Zakat Ul Fitr
Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to Allah for having enabled him to observe fasts. Its purpose is to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.
According to scholars, there are two purposes for paying Zakat ul Fitr: one is related to the individual; for completion of his fast and compensation for any shortcomings in his acts or speech. The other is related to society; for the spreading of love and happiness among its members, particularly the poor and needy, during the day of Eid.
In essence, the rationale behind Zakat ul Fitr is a sort of purification of oneself from any indecent act or speech. Since every Muslim needs this, it is therefore obligatory upon every fasting Muslim, whether rich or poor, who possesses food in excess of his main staple food for the duration of one day and night.
The wisdom behind this obligation, therefore, is to prepare the poor to practice benevolence and feel the dignity and honour of giving in charity.
As it is permissible from a religious point of view to pay Zakat ul Fitr both in terms of kind or cash, Qatar Charity pays it in kind exclusively. Packs of 05 kg of rice or wheat are normally distributed to the needy families.
In the year 2007, a total of 5,121 needy people have been supported. An amount of USD 25,608 has been utilized to implement this project.
Qatar Charity is in a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1997. In Pakistan, QC is registered with the Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs & Statistics