SANZAF ( South African National Zakáh Fund) News Release:
Another Ramadan in the midst of a pandemic. Through hard work from and strategic planning, we have still maintained to make an impact and assist those in need. In response to the Covid-19 emergency SANZAF has distributed over R10 million of food and aid across the country since March 2020.
At SANZAF, Ramadan is our busiest period, and as we hunker down in our digital spaces, be rest assured that for us, it will be business as usual. Our over-riding aim is to make an impact where it counts in these demanding times. People will need relief, and the imperative is that social development must continue. This means that our goals and aims have not changed, though the modalities of social distancing and safety have been introduced. During the Holy Month of Ramadan we will provide 1 million warm meals and 15 000 Ramadan grocery hampers.
With the day of Eid-ul-Fitr on our doorstep, SANZAF will bring Joy to over 27 000 families by distributing Fitrah Grocery Hampers before the day f Eid. Fitrah is an obligatory charity that all muslims who can afford it must pay (it is usually between R20 – R40). The purpose being that on the celebratory and Holy day of Eid, no muslim person goes hungry or has to be worried about food security. The 27 000 hampers will be distributed in 5 provinces.
At SANZAF, we believe that our overarching message, changing lives through development and relief – with the necessary impact – has gained an urgent and current import in that it cannot just be “business as usual”. COVID-19 affects us all and recognises no national, no class or wealth boundaries. We have to stay in touch with what is happening right now, all around us.
Therefore, SANZAF calls out to the public to “do more” this Ramadan and act to make an impact by joining us in making a difference in the lives of the needy, elderly and sick during these uncertain times. Your support will see us reach close to a million people in need this Ramadan while a portion of the Zakah collected will be utilised in Welfare, Food Programmes and Education Projects throughout the year in Western Cape.
For as we sit at home in lockdown, fortunate and thankful for the closeness of our families, for the warmth of our shelter and for the guarantee of a meal, we have to turn in all humility to those millions less fortunate than us. Apart from being a month of intense spirituality, Ramadan also has to be a month of intense humanity. May The Almighty bless us all.
The South African National Zakáh Fund (SANZAF) is a faith-based, socio-welfare and educational organisation
