The impact of zakat in reducing unemployment : the experience of Sudan's zakat chamber

Abstract

Half of the Sudanese population are living below the poverty line, failing to attain their basic needs, such as water, food, education, and health care, due to the worsening economy and rising prices, along with the declining purchasing power, which has led to the spread of large number of crimes, such as murder, robbery, and drug abuse. Meanwhile the secession of the Republic of South Sudan from the southern part of Sudan has added insult to injury. All these reasons have led to a high number of unemployment within the Sudanese society. This study investing the extent to which the Zakat Chamber in Sudan that constantly extends assistance to job seekers to set up their own investment projects, by supplying them with the necessary equipment's, assistance is also rendered by the zakat chamber to group of jobseekers who are willing to invest in single projects, while also financing developmental projects, such as agricultural projects, school building projects, or "qard hasan" projects. Keywords: Zakat, unemployment, unemployment project, Sudan zakat chamber