Collecting Fitra, Zakat: An open field for charity organisations

Law enforcers in metropolis come down hard on forced collection of donations in Ramazan


Faraz Khan June 28, 2016
As the Rangers have started a crackdown against political parties collecting Fitra and Zakat, alKhidmat Foundation, like many other welfare organisations, puts up a billboard calling for people to donate for the poor. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

KARACHI: As law enforcers in the metropolis intensify operations against those involved in the forceful collection of Fitra and Zakat during Ramazan, the field is now open for charitable organisations that play by the book.

A similar, relatively new freedom to collect the annual Islamic charity before Eidul Fitr was witnessed last year as well when the Rangers decided to put a stop to the decades-old practice of forceful collection of Fitra in Ramazan.

Protest over closure of charity clinic

Action by law-enforcement agencies against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) welfare wing, Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF), which has traditionally dominated the collection of Fitra in the city, has recently picked up pace.

Over a dozen MQM activists have so far been taken into custody while hundreds of Fitra chits have been confiscated this month, according to police sources.

According to the organisation's officials, the KKF runs welfare hospitals, an ambulance service and mobile dispensaries across the country. It also offers financial aid to poor segments of society.

The MQM sees the law enforcer's action as a 'conspiracy' against the party's welfare organisation. "This seems like a conspiracy against KKF to stop its activities of helping the poor and needy in Ramazan," said KKF chairman Arshad Vohra, the party's nominee for the city deputy mayor. "You will see the banners and everything related to Fitra and Zakat by the charity wings of all political parties but you will not see a single banner of KKF," he complained.

Vohra said the KKF has no policy to set up camps or run a door-to-door campaign in the city to collect funds this Ramazan owing to the law enforcers' action. "Just tell us once what you want? Ban the KKF so we will be clear," Vohra said, addressing the law enforcers. "We are still collecting donations but have changed our mode of operation," he explained of the ongoing charity collection drive.

Past masters 

The MQM, with 26 sectors (now town offices) and each with ten to 12 units (now six to eight union councils) in Karachi was once a major stakeholder with regards to collecting donations in Ramazan.

Welfare in Sindh: ‘Al Khidmat spent Rs140m last year’

"Each sector would generate funds worth Rs50 million to Rs100 million in the past but since last year the situation has changed," said a senior party worker who has been involved in collecting Fitra and Zakat. "This year we are expecting that we would be able to collect a quarter of what we used to before as we are not being allowed to openly canvass for donations," he said. The party official explained that this year they are only allowed to collect donations from MQM activists and not from the public.

Boon for others

The welfare wing of Jamaat-e-Islami - al Khidmat- has always been considered KKF's competitor in Karachi. "There has been a frequent increase in our [Ramazan] collections in the past few years," said the organisation's administration director, Rashid Qureshi. "Now the citizens are free to give donations to whomever they wish," he explained, hinting at the diminished role of KKF.

People belonging to various religious groups are also seen openly collecting donations across the city this Ramazan. "For the last few years, we are not facing any kind of resistance [in collecting donations] from any other group," explained a representative of Dawat-e-Islami, a religious group.

Rangers at your service

The paramilitary force has decided on a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the forced collection of donations. "All citizens of Karachi, including businessmen and shopkeepers, should inform us regarding the forcible collection of Zakat and Fitra during Ramazan," said the Rangers' spokesperson.

"If any person or terrorist outfit approaches someone for forcible collection of Fitra, a complaint should be immediately registered on the Rangers Helpline at 1101 or our Whatsapp number 0316-2369996 or email address rangers.madadgar@gmail.com <mailto:rangers.madadgar@gmail.com>," he added.

Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja has also instructed the police to keep a strict watch on elements involved in forced collection of donations. "Those involved in forced collection of Fitra and Zakat should be arrested," he recently instructed the police, adding that "No one would be allowed to forcibly collect charity."

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2016.

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