Sokoto, Kebbi Zakat Agencies Collaborate with Indonesian Experts on BMT Model

The Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Agency (SOZEA), in collaboration with the Kebbi State Zakat, Sadaqat and Waqaf Collection and Distribution Board, has organized a one-day capacity building workshop for stakeholders on the Baitul Mal Wat-Tamwil (BMT) model.

The workshop was held on Tuesday at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, located at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-Modern Secretariat along Sani Abacha Bypass Road in Birnin Kebbi.

The objective of the workshop was to equip stakeholders with knowledge on financial savings, financial discipline, and proper implementation of financial institutions that can offer interest-free loans and support for the needy in accordance with Islamic Shari'ah.

The organizers invited experts from Indonesia, as well as scholars from universities, polytechnics, and Islamic financial institutions, to deliver lectures and share experiences on best practices for the collection and distribution of Zakat, Sadaqat, and Waqaf to deserving beneficiaries. The training also highlighted policy framework, institutional framework, governmental framework, legal framework, and community framework for best practice standards.

In his welcome address at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Zakat, Sadaqat and Waqaf Collection and Distribution Board, Malam Umar Isah Magaji, expressed delight over the collaboration. "We are profoundly joyful over this collaboration with our counterpart, the Sokoto State Zakat, Waqaf and Endowment Agency, under the leadership of Malam Lawal Maidoki, to convene in Birnin Kebbi and conduct a one-day capacity building workshop on BMT," he said.

Malam Magaji described Zakat as a financial bedrock ordained by Allah for the benefit of mankind.
He said, "Zakat is a financial bedrock from mankind that one can give out to the needy from the wealth he or she has acquired."

Quoting from the Holy Qur'an, he said Allah commands the wealthy to give Zakat to those who deserve it. He cited Qur'an Chapter 2, Verse 267: "O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth."

He further quoted Qur'an Chapter 9, Verse 60 on the categories of Zakat beneficiaries: "Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect Zakat and for bringing hearts together for Islam and for freeing captives or slaves and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the stranded traveler - an obligation imposed by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise."

Magaji explained that the workshop was originally scheduled to hold in Sokoto State, but due to the cordial and good working relationship between the two states, it was agreed to hold it in Birnin Kebbi. "Based on this, I thank my colleague in Sokoto State, Malam Lawal Maidoki, for this gesture that was accorded to us," he added. He also appreciated the Indonesian delegation for honouring the invitation.

"To the Indonesian delegation, on behalf of the Kebbi State Zakat, Sadaqat and Waqaf Collection and Distribution Board as well as the Ministry of Religious Affairs, we sincerely appreciate your coming all the way from Indonesia to Birnin Kebbi. We cannot thank you enough. But we can only pray to Almighty Allah to bless you abundantly. May your sacrifices be a blessing to you and your entire family and your country in general. Once again, we thank you so much and you are welcome to the Land of Equity," Magaji said.

He urged participants to pay attention and make good use of the knowledge acquired. "To the participants, I urge you to pay attention and benefit from what will be shared with you. Ensure you utilize the knowledge you will acquire from this workshop. I wish you happy deliberations," he concluded.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Sokoto State Zakat and Waqaf (Endowment) Agency (SOZEA), Malam Lawal Maidoki, said the workshop is a joint initiative involving Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, but it was agreed to be held in Birnin Kebbi.

He said, "This workshop is between Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, but it was agreed to be held in Birnin Kebbi. An Indonesian expert delegation was invited to come and share their scorecards and experiences in this regard."

Malam Maidoki recalled that some participants had previously benefited from training sponsored by the Indonesian experts. "I recall that some of our people were trained by these Indonesian experts. They sponsored their trips and training, and some of the beneficiaries are here with us today. So I urge you to cooperate with the facilitators so that you can gain a lot from this Indonesian team. They have a lot to share with you," he said.

He noted that the Indonesian team undertakes its activities purely for the sake of Allah. "Whatever this Indonesian team is doing, they do not need or request anything from anybody. Whatever they do is for the sake of Allah. Their aim is to support and assist those that are in need, just to cushion them out of poverty as well as to have something doing as a source of income," Maidoki stated.

The participants were drawn from various bodies and organizations, including traditional institutions, non-governmental organizations, Ulamas, Imams, and other relevant groups, who attended the workshop as representatives of their respective organizations.

The organizers expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would strengthen Zakat and Waqaf management and promote sustainable Islamic microfinance models in the participating states, in line with the injunction of Allah in Qur'an Chapter 2, Verse 43: "And establish prayer and give Zakat and bow with those who bow in worship and obedience."