Sunday Times 2
Baithulmal Fund at 60: A feat in poverty alleviation
View(s):The Ceylon Baithulmal Fund, established in 1957 and incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1976, completes 60 years with an exceptional record of dedicated service to the poor and the needy. CBF was formed on the initiative of the late H.S. Ismail, (the first Muslim Speaker of the House of Representatives) who served as its President from 1957 to 1973.
Among its distinguished past presidents are the late Dr. M C M Kaleel, the late I.A. Cader, the late A. Aziz, the late A H L A Saleem, the late Justice M Jameel and M Y M Faiz. Also noteworthy is the dedicated service of the late S.S. Issadeen. He worked tirelessly for the CBF for over 40 years, mostly as its secretary.
The current President is the eminent lawyer and Industrialist A.A.M. illyas Admani.
Explaining the Fund’s activities, its secretary A.N. Nazvi Rahman, says: “In addition to helping the poor and the needy, the CBF provides scholarships to students and undergraduates from needy families. It also provides marriage assistance and Iddah allowances, assistance to repair houses, to pay off debts, to start a vocation or self-employment.
“During times of natural disasters, the Fund responds with emergency relief. It also extends a helping hand to the unfortunate victims to rebuild their lives by providing the needed resources to generate a regular income.
“The CBF has continuously been a supporter of the twin Islamic principles of Zakat — obligatory charity and Sadaqah — optional charity. Since poverty alleviation has been its main objective, the Fund has always received overwhelming response from the community towards its efforts.
“The Committee of Management, conscious of its responsibilities of accountability towards Almighty Allah, ensures that all contributions received are disbursed and distributed where they are needed most bearing in mind the intended purpose of the donors. The financial transparency and strict standards of efficiency exercised by the Committee has earned the trust and support of an increasing number of individual and institutional donors every year.â€