The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has been inundated with requests from community members on how they can help the people of Gaza. The organisation has now launched a Gaza appeal to assist Palestinians suffering under Israel siege. Muslims can now not only pay their Zakah to but they can also make a small donation toward assisting Palestinians in this time of need.

SANZAF’s Western Cape administrator, Maulana Sarafaraaz Hamza said that while the organisation primarily sees to the needs of those less fortunate locally, a national directive has come from the SANZAF offices as more locals want to offer a small donation along with their Zakah.

“The need is so great in Gaza and there are so many looking to make an extra donation that we have decided to accommodate this and spread our efforts to Gaza,” Hamza added.

Donors will also be able to contribute their sadaqa, sadaqaat and Zakah to the Gaza appeal project.

“We have been inundated on news channels and social media of the situation in Palestine. While we advocate the importance of seeing to our own less fortunate in our communities, a number of ulema have given us the go ahead and said that we can give a small portion internationally because the need in those areas are greater,” Hamza said.

While the organisation unfortunately cannot accept donations in kind as it does not have the infrastructure to accommodate this, individuals can contribute by visiting a nearby SANZAF office. The offices are open every day until Maghrib and people can make donations directly. The SANZAF website is equipped with the latest forms of ensuring safe money transactions.

Hamza explained that donors can now make use of the credit card facility on the website and they can even have a choice of where they would prefer their money be directed to, whether it be locally or for Gaza.

Furthermore, banking details are also available on the website for donations from the comfort of ones home or office. Visit sanzaf.org.za (Ra’eesah Isaacs)