In last month’s article, we shared and identified how some Australian Muslims can’t manage to catch a break. Additionally, we articulated how the National Zakat Foundation is doing its part to alleviate the financial strain for eligible recipients of Zakat.
This edition will be an extension of last month’s title of ‘Can’t catch a break’. This will include briefly sharing what the implications of financial hardship look like and how Zakat provides much-needed relief.
To put this into perspective, many of us are not clowns but can manage juggling two balls simultaneously. It’s pretty easy, right? However, when we start adding another ball and another ball, it’s just not going to work out.
Similarly, juggling bills, trying to pay overdue rent, looking for work, 10 missed calls from mum, having health problems, dirty washing nearly touching the ceiling, trying to put food on the table for the family while trying to figure out what to put in kids school lunch boxes and the list goes on and on!
The point is, sometimes we can’t juggle everything and sometimes it’s out of our own hands and we just need to ask for help.
Let me ask you; Who do you think of when you hear someone asking for help? And ask yourself, what has influenced your answer.
Do you think of refugees trying to find their feet in their new land? Do you think of a man that had stable employment, but his wife has been diagnosed with an illness, and thus is not able to work or provide for his family as he must care for his wife?
Or do you think of a single parent falling behind in bills because of the rising cost of living? These are only three examples simply illustrating what someone facing financial hardship may experience.
Some of the implications behind the examples provided may include the following: financial insecurity, housing instability, mental health problems, inability to secure employment, unequal financial opportunity, disparity of economic balance within society and much more.
Moreover, as we have passed the month of Dhul Hijjah’s 10 most blessed days, with the rising cost of living, some families were unable to afford meat for their meals.
In accordance with the sunnah, NZF’s Qurban program in Melbourne and Sydney this year offered donors to keep one third for themselves, another one third distributed to the Zakat-eligible poor and needy, and this year the donor could keep another one third to gift to their neighbour, friends, or relatives.
By the will of Allah and your support, insha’Allah we were able to put some smiles on people’s faces as they continue the juggling act.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Zakat Foundation Australia. All applications are diligently assessed to ensure eligibility for receiving Zakat.
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