Doha - The Zakat Fund is currently implementing a new initiative called 'Zakat SMS Project'. The project aims to enable donors to make donations to Zakat Fund using SMS. This service is being provided by Qatar Telecom (Qtel) free of cost and the donation amount is collected without any deduction for the benefit of the poor and the needy.
The initiative is meant to encourage more donations since SMS is widely used whether for business or personal communication. The Zakat Fund has previously achieved success in handling similar services on various occasions, earning substantial revenues.
The donation amount for each fund under Zakat Fund is only QR10 and donation codes have been provided for each. The donation codes are: Zakat (Obligatory donation) - Z, Sadaqa Jariya (Continuous Sadaqa) - G, Sadaqa (Unconditional Sadaqa) - M, Preventive Donation - B, Widows Relief Fund - R, Medical Treatment Aid - E, Students Scholarship Fund - T, Orphans Sponsorship Fund - I, Poor Family Support - F, Eid Clothing Pack (seasonal) - K and Eftaar Programme (seasonal) -S.
To make a donation, a donor just has to send an SMS message to the number 2438 followed by the donation code. For instance, to donate to the Widows Relief Fund, type the donation code R and send it to 2438. The sender will receive a message thanking him for donating the amount and acknowledging that the operation has been completed successfully.
© The Peninsula 2008
