Whether a person is in debt, in a difficult financial situation, or in need of one-off help, Zakat- and the way we approach it- should be used to transform lives.
The Swiss Zakat Foundation aims to make it easier for the Muslim community in Switzerland to understand, pay and, when appropriate, receive Zakat. Firstly, the Foundation allows donors to calculate the exact amount they should contribute and offers easy access to multiple payment methods which are all safe, secure and trustworthy. Secondly, the Foundation has taken on the mission of distributing Zakat in a way that will ensure an individual’s autonomy. With this in mind, the SZF’s social workers work non-stop to carry out and improve upon our internal processes when it comes to offering support and help to families and individuals in difficult situations.
Increased access
To help those in need find access to our services without experiencing any difficulty or confusion, we have a dedicated page on our website entitled ‘Claim Zakat’ which allows people to claim support. These claims will then be processed by our social workers. The foundation aims to increase the number of channels (both on and offline), through which people can access the foundation. In this way, we always emphasize the importance of accessibility when it comes to our services, our effectiveness and the reach of Zakat distribution.
A holistic approach
When it comes to social support, the foundation adopts a holistic approach which encompases all aspects of life; financial, social, spiritual and even physical and mental health. In order to be able to implement and maintain this multidisciplinary approach, it is essential to have social workers, psychologists and legal specialists working with us on our team. It is important to point out that Zakat should not be limited to just a transfer of funds. In order to support people on their journeys towards self sufficiency, it is vital to integrate multiple different domains and key skills and expertise.
Long-term support
Zakat Social Finance evokes a golden rule which has direct consequences on the SZF’s approach to the distribution of Zakat in Switzerland. In reality, the long-term purpose of Zakat is to allow every individual who finds themselves in need, to one day become Zakat contributors themselves. In order to reach this goal, the SZF must support families and individuals not just with one-off help but over the long-term, allowing them to become completely autonomous and unhindered when it comes to planning their future.
Editorial Team SZF