Although it predated official development assistance, zakat — the Muslim practice of social giving and one of the pillars of Quran — has only gotten ample attention lately. And it has much to do with the need to find new sources of financing for humanitarian aid and development.
Zakat is equivalent to 2.5 percent of a Muslim’s wealth; this goes to certain categories of people, including the needy, the poor and those in debt.
The role of zakat in financing humanitarian action has taken the spotlight ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit, which is slated for 2016. It’s in fact one of the areas the WHS secretariat is “studying in more detail” and discussing with a range of stakeholders, its chief, Jemilah Mahmood, noted in a gathering in London.