Integrating zakat into govt policies could benefit economy: Experts

Experts and discussants, underscoring how zakat's objectives align with the broader goals of sustainable development, suggested on Thursday that integrating zakat into governmental policies could yield substantial benefits for Bangladesh's social and economic landscape.

Furthermore, the endorsement of zakat as a viable financing mechanism reflects a recognition of its potential to complement existing efforts in poverty alleviation and social protection, they added at a seminar titled “CZM’s Zakat-based Programs: A Pioneering Innovation for Poverty Alleviation” held at a Dhaka city auditorium on Saturday.

This seminar was part of a two-day long fair themed 'Making a Difference with Zakat' organised by the Centre for Zakat Management (CZM) at Aloki Convention Centre in Dhaka, marking its inauguration.

Eminent economist and former Adviser to the Caretaker Government Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman inaugurated the fair as the chief guest.

The seminar was chaired by Dr Shahjahan Khan, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Former Secretary and CZM CEO, Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

Mr Arastoo Khan, former secretary and convener of the Zakat Fair Organising Committee, gave the welcome address. 

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Abdur Rouf, Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, executive director of CSPS, Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, deputy managing director of PKSF, Abdul Awal Sarkar, former executive director to Bangladesh Bank, Prof Mawlana Mokhter Ahmad attended the seminar as panel discussants.

The fair will remain open until 7:00 pm on Sunday for all. People can have the opportunity to get Zakat consultation and calculation services at the fair. Besides, there are stalls of various Zakat/charity-based organisations, book publishers, Islamic financial institutions and so on at the fair.

Apart from the inaugural seminar, another exclusive seminar and question and answer session for women titled “The Role of Zakat and Sadaqah in Wealth and Soul Purification” was held on the same day.

On the second day, a seminar titled “Importance of Zakat, Ushr, and Waqf for Human Development” will be organised in the morning and a roundtable discussion titled “The Role of Islamic Social Finance in Reducing Inequalities” will be organised in the afternoon.

Abdul-Muyeed Chowdhury, former adviser to the caretaker government, will moderate the roundtable discussion, while Professor Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, chairman of the Economic Research Group and former adviser of the caretaker government, will attend the discussion as the chief Guest. Besides, eminent economists, development practitioners, educationists, and Shariah scholars are expected to join the discussion.

The Financial Express (FE) is one of the media partners of the event.

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