As part of his ongoing commitment to charitable and developmental work in the region, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Province Charity Association, received a delegation of officials from non-profit organizations participating in the implementation of the “Unified Zakat al-Fitr Program” at his office in the Governorate building. During the meeting, His Highness reviewed the program’s work plan for the year 1445 AH, in addition to a detailed report outlining the program’s achievements over the past decade.
General context and importance of Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr is an Islamic obligation incumbent upon every capable Muslim, to be paid at the end of Ramadan before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Its religious and social significance lies in its role as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity, and as a provision for the needy, aiming to spare them from having to beg on the day of Eid and to bring joy to their hearts. Organizing its payment and distribution presents a logistical challenge requiring precision and coordination to ensure it reaches its rightful recipients at the prescribed time, which is precisely what the Unified Zakat al-Fitr Program strives to achieve.
Ten years of institutional giving
His Royal Highness the Prince of the Eastern Province commended the report presented by Engineer Ibrahim bin Mohammed Abu Abah, CEO of the Eastern Province Charity Association, which highlighted the program's progress over the past ten years. His Highness praised the remarkable institutional development in implementation mechanisms and the positive social impact the program has achieved through organizing the collection and distribution of Zakat al-Fitr. He emphasized that the efforts made to enhance governance and improve operational efficiency reflect the maturity of institutional charitable work in the region and increase public trust in official charitable channels.
Significant achievements and figures
The report revealed remarkable figures reflecting the program's success, with total funds received and distributed exceeding 50 million Saudi Riyals over ten years. More than 131,000 needy families across the Eastern Province benefited from this support. Over 11,445 tons of rice , adhering 100% to Sharia regulations regarding the type and timing of Zakat distribution, ensuring it reached its beneficiaries before Eid prayers.
Expected impact and alignment with Vision 2030
The program's success is not limited to the numbers alone; its impact extends to strengthening the values of social solidarity and reinforcing the principle of compassion among members of society. At the national level, this integrated operational model aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which seeks to develop the non-profit sector, increase its contribution to social and economic development, and promote social responsibility. The unified Zakat al-Fitr program in the Eastern Province serves as a model for organizing seasonal charitable work and maximizing its impact. At the conclusion of the meeting, Engineer Abu Abah expressed his gratitude to His Royal Highness the Prince of the region for his continued support and generous patronage of the program, emphasizing that this support is the primary driver of its continued success and development.
