The role of Zakat in the provision of social protection: A comparison between Jordan and Sudan
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 17 September 2019
Issue publication date: 9 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper discusses the role of Zakat Funds in the provision of social protection in the Middle East and North Africa region, based on the examples of Jordan and Sudan. The purpose of this paper is to assess different modalities of Zakat in two countries where it is regulated in some form by the state.
Design/methodology/approach
Findings are based on a desk review of academic, peer-reviewed literature as well as reports published by international organisations and information provided online by governments and national Zakat Funds. The choice of these countries was further motivated by the availability of literature in English and Arabic.
Findings
The extent to which Zakat can be used to finance social protection measures varies not only in the way it is collected and administered, but also with the country’s geographic and political conditions. In Sudan, Zakat is mandatory and reaches proportionally more households than in Jordan. While the Quran establishes the eight categories for those who should receive Zakat, the selection in both countries is at the discretion of the Funds’ administrators.
Originality/value
The topic of Zakat is one that has received increased attention by researchers interested in Muslim values, social policy and public finance. However, little research has been produced on the intersections of these three topics.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Islamic foundations of social policy and welfare”, guest edited by Ali Akbar Tajmazinani.This paper is based on a working paper published by the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth. (Machado et al., 2018a). The case studies of Jordan and Sudan were updated according to recent official resources.
Citation
Bilo, C. and Machado, A.C. (2020), "The role of
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited