A charity in Madina has been accused of delaying the distribution of Zakat for Eid Al-Fitr until Tuesday evening. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, as is observing the month of Ramadan. Allah decreed that Zakat should be distributed to poor and needy Muslims before the Eid prayer otherwise it will be considered as normal charity or Sadaqa. If Zakat is not distributed on time, there is doubt over Allah accepting a person's fast. The staff at the charity started blaming each other after Okaz/Saudi Gazette discovered a warehouse containing huge quantities of rice guarded by four foreign workers. The depot is in a remote area. The officials at the establishment, whose name is being withheld, has started an investigation, with the manager of its depots, to determine the reasons for the delay. When confronted with the facts, Abdulmohsen Al-Oufi, the establishment's branch director in Madina, categorically denied the incident. However, he confirmed an investigation is being planned. The Ministry of Social Affairs has threatened to take firm action once the investigation is completed. Hatem Beri, Director of the ministry's branch in Madina, blamed the establishment's headquarters in Makkah for the delay. However, Abdullah Aal-Tawi, Director of the ministry's branch in Makkah, said the ministry's branch in Madina was responsible. “Every branch is responsible for what happens in its administrative zone,” he said.
