POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVES: THE COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN ZAKAT AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AID

Abstract

Poverty continues to be a serious problem in the Muslim and non-Muslim countries around the globe. The teachings of Islam and other Revealed religions have recognized zakat and tithe, respectively, as a social tool that can bind the wealth differences between the haves and have-nots. If managed properly, both zakat and tithe can play significant role in overcoming the poverty-related problem. More so, if both institutions that is entrusted to manage zakat and tithe can join hands in their efforts to disentangle the said shared predicament. In this regard, despite the fact that in few countries, such as Palestine and Lebanon, the collaborative initiatives between the two have taken place and proved successful, in many other countries the two institutions seemed not to be talking to each other. As poverty knows no religious and boundaries, a concerted effort to address the issue is imperative. To this end, this paper analyzes the current practice of zakat collection and distribution in Muslim countries as well examines the proxy of tithe, i.e. International aid, in its attempts to alleviate poverty alleviation poverty among the poor. Specifically, the papers looks at the compatibility between the two in dealing with poverty alleviation objective. Based on the findings, the paper furnishes several relevant suggestions on how to improve the poverty alleviation initiatives between the two institutions so that both zakat and aids funds can be more effectively used to help the poor and needy in all parts of the world; transcending boundaries, skin-colors, ethnicities and religions, among others.