Zakat funds distributed to orphans and students in West Africa

Islamic philanthropic organizations in West Africa have distributed Zakat funds to support education and orphans ahead of the new school year.

In Côte d'Ivoire, the Fondation Zakat-Waqf provided 120,000 FCFA each to 60 orphans through the Fondation Khaled Ibn Al-Walid. Dr. Bamba Lamine, President of the Board, noted that the allocation per orphan has increased from 50,000 FCFA to 120,000 FCFA since the program's inception, with a goal of reaching 150,000 FCFA. Dr. Moustapha Sylla, Vice-President, highlighted that the number of beneficiaries has grown by 50% since the 2020-2021 period.

In Burkina Faso, the Cercle d’études, de recherche et de formation islamiques (CERFI) distributed 36 scholarships through its Zakat House initiative. The funds, totaling 4,530,000 FCFA, were allocated to vulnerable students across different academic levels: 100,000 FCFA for primary cycle students, 120,000 FCFA for secondary cycle, and 150,000 FCFA for higher education students. CERFI President El Hadj Hamidou Yaméogo stated the initiative aims to improve Zakat management and community investment.