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{
"id": 1091440,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1091440/?format=api",
"text_counter": 141,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Laisamis, JP",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Marselino Arbelle",
"speaker": {
"id": 13401,
"legal_name": "Marselino Malimo Arbelle",
"slug": "marselino-malimo-arbelle"
},
"content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Waqf Bill. Waqf, as it is written or as it is understood in the Islamic faith, is any contribution, whether in terms of money or material, that is contributed for the sake of the Almighty God. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is the commandment of Allah, the creator of this universe, who has guided human beings to contribute because Allah loves those who contribute, give money and part of their wealth towards supporting the less fortunate people amongst our communities. An able Islamic faithful should donate to charity called Waqf. Muslims the world over are advised that, depending on the capability of somebody economically, they are required to give 2.5 per cent of their savings in a year in the form of Waqf. Unfortunately, we do not have laid down structures where you can say that this Waqf is worth so-much and it is well managed. Unfortunately, many people today give out charity in form of Waqf to individuals managing the affairs of mosques. Just like a Member alluded to earlier on, the general public will not understand who exactly are given all the Waqf. How is it managed? For that reason, it is much in order that this Bill has come before us so that any other individual in the Islamic circles who will want to contribute anything towards supporting Islam or towards cleansing himself will channel his contribution to Waqf. Kenyans have been praised for their good heart in donating to charity. For instance, when Safaricom rolled out M-Pesa, it is only in Kenya where it has been seen to be very effective. This is because Kenyans at large have a very good heart in supporting one another. It is for that reason that you can see that through M-Pesa, Safaricom is making huge profits. That is exactly what God wants, unlike in other countries where maybe M-Pesa is not working. Maybe, they are mean. Kenyans have copied Muslims because many people are hovering around mosque and church areas begging for support in terms of food or material. Muslims believe in what Allah said that whoever gives a small or minute thing, God sees it and will be repaid to him. Also, in all the bad things you do in this world, however small or minute it might be, you will get the same response. You will come across billionaires all over the world, including Kenya, who stash a lot of cash in banks, but do not pay sadaka from the billions of shillings in their bank accounts yet some people are sleeping without water, food, shelter and roofs on their heads. People should know that we need to lean on this, so that we can please Allah because we are not here to live forever. How many people have lived on this earth but are not with us today? How many people owned properties, including skyscrapers, but are not here today? Where is their money? A lot of their money is stashed somewhere in banks unaccounted for. Some of the money has been repatriated to other countries. You can imagine a foreign country saying that there is an unclaimed asset from our country. Who are these? Where is the Government? They know that that person originated from our country and will request them to go and have that money. People should come to their senses so that we have institutions like waqf where such money is kept. We do not have to take money out of the country. We have many rich people in this country who have moved a step further to please Allah and would want to give out their money so that they can hold it tomorrow. For that reason, every county needs to have their Waqf account. When you want to deposit some money into a bank account, they ask you where the money came from and where you are taking it. They The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}