200 Sudanese refugees receive food aid from UMSC
By Ahmed Idriss
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), through its Zakat and Swadaqa Department has distributed food relief packages to 200 Sudanese refugees at the Old Kampala UMSC Headquarters.
Flagging off the initiative, Sheikh Kaloozi Abdulbarri Muhammad, Head of the UMSC Zakat and Swadaqa Department, expressed gratitude to the partners, time to help Germany, for their continued support toward vulnerable communities.
“We appreciate the efforts of Time to Help Germany for working with us to support our brothers and sisters in need,” Sheikh Kaloozi said.
“However, there is still a great need for assistance, and we call upon all organizations and individuals to come forward and support the refugees in various ways,” he added.
The UMSC Zakat and Swadaqa Department urged Muslims to fulfill their obligation of paying Zakat, emphasizing that such contributions help sustain ongoing support to refugees and other vulnerable groups.
“We encourage everyone to visit our office at Old Kampala to explore ways we can work together to help those in need, including providing medical and capital assistance,” Sheikh Kaloozi said.
The department also thanked all partners who have supported their humanitarian efforts and encouraged the public to end the year with acts of generosity.
“Let us make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Pay your Zakat and Swadaqa today and help us make a positive impact,” Sheikh Kaloozi appealed.
Zakat is alms (religious tax) for the poor and needy in society. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory upon every adult Muslim of sound mind and means.
Last month, UMSC released the Zakat Nisab (threshold), urging all eligible Muslims in Uganda to fulfill their obligatory Zakat contributions. Through its Zakat and Swadaqa Department, the UMSC determined the Nisab based on the prevailing market values of gold and silver.
According to the announcement, the gold Nisab is equivalent to 85 grams of gold, valued at Shs 28,545,673.25, while the silver Nisab stands at 595 grams of silver, valued at Shs 2,533,331.50.
Consequently, the current Zakat threshold for Ugandan Muslims was set at Shs 2,500,000 (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Shillings).
