The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) recently organized a comprehensive training program in Kampala, Uganda, aimed at enhancing the effective management of zakat as a form of Islamic social finance within IsDB member countries. Taking place from August 14th to 16th, 2023, the program welcomed participants from Uganda, who engaged in an intensive training session spanning three days. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support the growth and development of Islamic social finance across IsDB member nations.
The training was conducted in collaboration with the House of Zakat and Waqf in Uganda (HZWU), which received a technical assistance grant to bolster their capacity for managing zakat. This grant also seeks to contribute to the advancement of human capital development within the domain of Islamic social finance in Uganda.
Throughout the training, participants had the privilege of attending nine sessions led by Dr. Mustafa Omar Mohamed, a distinguished professional trainer and expert in the field of Islamic social finance. These sessions delved into diverse topics, encompassing the fiqh of zakat, the governance of zakat institutions, the role of zakat in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the integration of fintech in zakat management, and successful zakat management case studies from various IsDB member countries.
Dr. Issahaq Umar Iddrisu, the Manager of IsDB Regional Hub in Kampala, took the opportunity to encourage Uganda’s Muslim community to explore the untapped potential of Islamic social finance to address community challenges.
Emphasizing the importance of modern technologies, Dr. Mahmoud Bekri, an Economist at IsDBI, underscored the need for optimized zakat management and outreach, ensuring inclusivity and leaving no one behind.
Dr. Hamzah Namungo, Head of Finance and Planning at HZWU and an alumni of the education grant program, lauded the training for providing participants with a practical understanding of the economic, social, and developmental impact of zakat within the Ugandan Muslim community.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the training program, particularly highlighting the valuable insights gained from the experiences of diverse IsDB member countries in effectively managing zakat.
