CAIRO,
November 2, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Sharing good times and
religious occasions with poor families, Muslims rush to donate for
charities to buy new clothes, giving "Eiddeiya" (money given to children
as part of `Eid celebrations) and other `Eid Al-Fitr stuff for the
less fortunate, bringing a smile to this cross-section of Muslim
societies.
“We
receive clothes to distribute to the poor before `Eid,” Dr. Saud
Al-Fulait, executive manager of Charity Warehouse, was quoted as
saying by Saudi daily the Arab News Wednesday, November 2.
Many
charities in the Arab and Muslim world receive zakat al-fitr and
donations in both cash and kind long during the holy fasting month of
Ramadan to buy new clothes and give "Eiddeiya" to the poor
Muslim families before `Eid Al-Fitr.
Most
Arab and Muslim countries will celebrate `Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the
end of Ramadan, Thursday, November 3.
Most
Muslims prefer to pay their annual zakat (alms), the third pillar of
Islam, during Ramadan.
“I
like my zakat to go to people who are really in need," Muna told Arab
News.
"Since
I do not know who these people are, I give to charitable societies who
pass what is given on to people who really need them.”
Many
charity donations in Gulf countries were marred by newly-clapped
restrictions during the dawn-to-dusk fasting month.
Celebrations
During
these blessed days for Muslims, many Muslim charities buy food stuff,
clothes and other `Eid stuff with the zakat money, delivering them to
the poor families.
“We
have vehicles especially for delivering and distributing zakat al-fitr
and `Eid clothing which come to us as donations,” said a
representative from Al-Birr Society.
Al-Fulait
also added that his charity buys other food stuff for poor families
with the zakat money.
Muslim
charities, in addition, organize special activities and celebrations
during the Muslim festival for orphans and poor children to bring a
smile to their faces in such an occasion.
“We
will arrange a festival in Atallah Entertainment Park and invite
people to come and enjoy the `Eid celebrations,” said one
spokeswoman for a local charity.