Red Crescent will accept Zakat Al Fitr for Somalis

Dubai: People who wish to give this year's Zakat Al Fitr to Somalia can do so by donating it to the Red Crescent Authority, according to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE).

The authority issued a Fatwa on Sunday.

Zakat Al Fitr is charity given to the poor in Ramadan. It is required of every Muslim and the head of a household must pay the required amount. GAIAE said Zakat Al Fitr can be given to the Somali people and other affected people from Islamic countries.

"It is the duty of Muslims to contribute to the relief of affected people and provide them with food, medicine, clothing and shelter," as narrated by Imam Muslim and others.

The Fatwa also said Muslims can pay Zakat Al Fitr at the beginning of Ramadan to the affected people. The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) can hand over the Zakat Al Fitr and other charity money to those in need, the fatwa said.

Charity associations and other official bodies in affected countries are considered as agents of the poor and needy.