New Delhi, July 1: Following the recent controversy surrounding donations to the Ram Temple, a debate has emerged regarding the management of donations received by religious institutions. Congress leader Rashid Alvi and Syed Farid Ahmed Nizami, the head of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Committee, shared their views on the distribution of donations and zakat in mosques, madrasas, and dargahs.
In an interview, Rashid Alvi stated that zakat is not meant for mosques but for the needy and poor. He emphasized that mosques are managed by committees where imams lead prayers, and there is no system in place for such misappropriation within mosques. He further noted that comparing temples and mosques is inappropriate as they represent different faiths. Alvi criticized the investigation by the SIT into the Ram Temple issue, suggesting it appears to be merely a facade, making it difficult to reach the actual culprits.
Alvi explained that dargahs operate under separate committees, and donations received are utilized for community meals, food preparation, and assisting the poor. He clarified that Islam does not permit the worship of shrines, and any offerings made are distributed among the needy. He asserted that there have been no reported cases of misappropriation in dargahs or khanqahs.
Syed Farid Ahmed Nizami echoed these sentiments, stating that funds received by mosques and madrasas are regularly spent on their operations and the welfare of students. He mentioned that dargahs do not accept zakat, as it is typically given to madrasas for the education, food, and accommodation of students. Nizami added that it is religiously inappropriate for certain families associated with khanqahs to accept zakat.
He noted that donations for cemeteries and mosques are utilized for their intended purposes, and any funds received are allocated according to necessity. Nizami also responded to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s statement regarding potential encounters, emphasizing that he does not wish to comment on anyone’s intentions. He highlighted that injustice against innocent individuals or wrongful demolitions is a serious issue, just as is the deliberate release of guilty parties.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.