7 March 2009 Business Recorder
The Patients’ Behbud Society (PBS) for the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), received over Rs 76 million in its zakat funds in 2008, against Rs 43 million received in 2007, according to PBS Chairman M R Monem. In a letter sent to the donors, thanking them for their “generous support” resulting in the increase in fund collection, he said.
“Encouraged by the response we received last year, the Committee has set a target of Rs 100 million for zakat collections in 2009.” The Society has now completed its 7th year and, during this period, over Rs 145 million has been disbursed towards medical treatment of ‘mustehqeen’ (deserving people).
This was commensurate with the level of zakat funds received. Each month, the executive committee of PBS meets to review and approve applications of ‘mustehqeen’ in desperate and urgent need of medical treatment. Case history of the beneficiaries have also been attached with the letter.
The continuous increase in the number of needy patients seeking assistance annually brings to the fore the urgent need to expand this endeavour. Monem has requested the donors “to help us further by persuading your friends and relatives to include us as a beneficiary for their zakat, enabling us to reach the target of Rs 100 million for the current year.”
Ismailimail 