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SHOKKHOM
SHOKKHOM is a Sustainable Livelihood Project started in 2017.
This is the smallest business model inå the world run by Zakat Fund
SHOKKHOM (a Bengali word meaning being skillful or competent in a certain field of profession) is a sustainable livelihood program which aims to demolish poverty and ensure a maintainable life for the disadvantaged and destitute people. In the Islamic community, Muslims are obliged to pay a percentage annually under Islamic law on a particular amount of property they own and use it for charitable and religious purposes. In Bangladesh, with Zakat money, people tend to purchase clothing and food to distribute those to the poor which results in momentary happiness for the people but does not bring any tenable development in their lives. To ensure appropriate utilization of the money, we initiated a Sustainable Livelihood program titled “Shokkhom”.
SHOKKHOM Project is supervised by a team of experienced Islamic Scholars
Report 2022-2023
This was initially implemented in 2016 at a very small scale involving only two families to see its results. Pondering its positive outcome, we redacted it at a larger scale in 2017-2022, helping 1250 families accomplish sustainable livelihood opportunities for them. This program involves compiling Zakat money and using it to create an income-generating source for disadvantaged families. We give the breadwinner of the family, a chance to become an entrepreneur and thus improve his/her own living standard. The program is being implemented in Dhaka, Kushtia, Barisal, Patuakhali, Rangpur, Gazipur, Burimara and
Khagrachari. As Shokkhom is an initiative that is based primarily on monitoring, areas were chosen where the volunteer support is the strongest. The main objective of this program is “To support the families to such an extent that they won’t be needing aid next year rather they will be capable of providing Zakat for other impoverished families”. The program was started for the purpose of facilitating the development and promotion of small scale enterprises (SMEs) through ensuring sustainable livelihood, gender empowerment and capacity building in Bangladesh.
Built through consultation, observation, and trial-and-error, the following process is followed for every SHOKKHOM startup:
The candidate selection process usually entails notification/announcement done in deprived areas, reviewing, screening, interviewing, testing then selecting the best available candidate.
The candidate selection process usually entails notification/announcement done in deprived areas, reviewing, and screening, interviewing, testing then selecting the best available candidate. Application forms are circulated in different areas by volunteers which the interested participants are asked to fill in and submit.
Candidates for a Shokkhom project are selected based on the following criteria:
- Financial History: All individuals are checked for any existing loans/credit history and verification of current sources of income.
- Any marketable skills: Any existing skills (basic arithmetic, farming, selling, sewing etc.) are put into account when coming up with the individual’s business plan
- Reputation: Neighbors and/or family members are contacted for the individual’s social reputation and for verification
- Desire to improve: Finally, the individual’s desire to improve social standing by honest means and willingness for hard work are also taken as KPIs.
Once the candidates are selected, a project and a donor are assigned to the candidates
Each participant in the project has their own needs, skills and criteria, requiring different business models. The Shokkhom project currently has thirteen types of startup, each varying in size, operability and required investment. The models are developed based on the following:
- Proper market conditions
- Amount of investment
- Existing skill set of the individual
Donors can either reach out to volunteers of the Project or contact by phone or mail, after which their donated amount and any other requirements are documented. People who wish to donate are reached out to by a network of 140 volunteers in 7 districts across the country. Success stories and campaigns are carried out to bring in more donors primarily through social media.
After a donor is found and a business model is developed, all individuals undergo 7 to 10 days of orientation on the following, conducted by volunteers:
- Business development: Focusing on how to develop and run the business in question, including scaling up
- Technology: Operating and/or repair and maintenance of any tools involved
- Financial management: Basic financial literacy such as bank account opening, basic arithmetic and saving
After procurement of any tools involved (eg. a van or sewing machine) and building of infrastructure where required (eg. Shed for a farm) and training, keys to the business is handed over to the beneficiary.
Donors can either reach out to volunteers of the Project or contact by phone or mail, after which their donated amount and any other requirements are documented. People who wish to donate are reached out to by a network of 140 volunteers in 7 districts across the country. Success stories and campaigns are carried out to bring in more donors primarily through social media.
SHOKKHOM MODEL FOR 2024- Project Budget
Donate a Pair of Goats for shomottyo Banu
30,000৳
Donate a Van for Salauddin
23,000৳
Donate a Sewing Machine for Sufia Begum
15,000৳
Donate a Sewing Machine for Shumi
15,000৳
Donate a Pair of Goats for Sonia
30,000৳
Donate a Sewing Machine for Shohagi Akter
15,000৳
Donate a Pair of Goats for Halima
30,000৳
Donate a Cow for Hajera Begum
80,000৳
Donate an Autorickshaw for Md. Delwar Hossain
125,000৳
Doante a Rickshaw for Dulal Mia
27,000৳
যাকাতের অর্থ দিয়ে দারিদ্র বিমোচন ক্ষুদ্রঋণ এর থেকে বেশি কার্যকর এই নিয়ে “Islam, Neoliberalism and Social Inequality in Bangladesh: A Social Policy Perspective” শীর্ষক একটি রিসার্চ বিট্রিশ জার্নালে প্রকাশিত হয়েছে যার লেখক ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের প্রফেসর A. I. Mahbub Uddin Ahmed স্যার।
এটি মূলত স্যার গত ২০১৭ সাল থেকে অভিযাত্রিক ফাউন্ডেশন এর যাকাতের অর্থ দ্বারা পরিচালিত জীবিকা প্রকল্প “সক্ষম” উপর ২ বছর ব্যাপি গবেষণা করে লিখেছেন।
স্যারের এই রিসার্চটির সারাংশ (Abstract)-
The main objective of this chapter is to explore the relationship between zakat and reduction of social inequality in Bangladesh via historical development of Bangladesh social policy, social welfare regime and social welfare practices from 1201 to the present. It compares the neoliberal strategy of microfinance and Islamic strategy of zakat through Shokkhom Project data of a zakat-based Third Sector, Obhizatrik. It collects profiles of 82 beneficiaries, 49 males and 33 females, who received zakat between 2016 and 2017. Out of total 33 zakat recipients of Dhaka District, 13 case studies, 9 males and 4 females, were conducted for expediency. The chapter finds that Islamic welfare practice of zakat is more effective in the alleviation of poverty and ensuring social welfare than the neoliberal strategy of interest-based microfinance.
অনলাইন জার্নাল লিঙ্কঃ https://link.springer.com/…/10.1007/978-3-030-57753-7_13
SHOKKHOM Project is supervised by a team of experienced Islamic Scholars.
Responsibilities of Zakat Committee:
Ensure 100% transparency of the ZAKAT amount.
Monitor the full process from candidate selection to project execution.
Monitor the yearly audit process
Give written/verbal Fatwa any kind of questions regarding ZAKAT, SHOKKHOM, and its implementation.
Yearly four physical meetings with the OBHIZATRIK core team and SHOKKHOM Project team.
Give answers to any kind of question raised from donors.
Zakat Committee Members:
1. Mufti Farhad Bin Hannan
Head Mufti: Zamia Talimia Madrasa, Dhaka
Khatib: Shamsun nur Jam-e-Masjid, Middle Badda, Dhaka
2. Mufti Ubaidur Rahman Hammad
Muhaddis: Jami’a Darul Ulum, Matijhil, Dhaka
Instructor and Head of Department (Workshop): IFA Consultancy Ltd.
3. Mufti Ibrahim Khalil
Khatib: Al Habibia Jam-e-Masjid
Principal: Madrasatul Huda Al Arabia
4. Mufti Sheikh Belal Mahmudi
Principle: Darul Ulum Muhammadia Madrasa
5. Mufti Neyamutullah
Assistant Head Mufti: Markazut Taqwa Al Islamia, Dhaka
( Higher Islamia Education and Research Center)
SHOKKHOM Project Coordinator:
Arif R Hossain:
Mr Arif R Hossain is the adviser of the OBHIZATRIK Foundation and project coordinator of SHOKKHOM Project. He has been monitoring and supervising the SHOKKHOM project since 2016. In professional life Mr. Arif R Hossain is a famous media personality, activist, social worker, and blogger, also he is the Director of Advanced Development Technologies Ltd
[2:215] “They ask you about giving: say, “The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien.” Any good you do, God is fully aware thereof.”
[9:60] Charities(Sadaqaat) shall go to the poor, the needy, the workers who collect them, the new converts, to free the slaves, to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of Allah, and to the traveling alien. Such is GOD’s commandment. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
[2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.
[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.
[2:83] We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat).” But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.
[2:110] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it at Allah. Allah is seer of everything you do.
Understanding the concept of Zakat lies at the core of Islamic Belief system as Zakat has been declared as one of the basic pillars of this life system. Here we Business will try to illustrate the idea of Zakat and some directions to calculate Zakat on personal level.
Allah SWT Says: O! You who believe! Spend the good things you have ( legally) earned and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah is Rich (Free of All wants) and worthy all Praise.
Zakat is levied at 2.5% of all Zakat-able assets after deducting specific liabilities for the year. The annual payment of Zakat is done according to the lunar calendar. Items like jewellery and gold are Zakat-able items and their worth should be factored in when calculating totals.
The literal meaning of Zakat is purification. Therefore, by giving Zakat, a Muslim is essentially purifying his soul and his wealth. This word is mentioned in many instances in the Qur’an alongside Salaat (prayer).
“As-Sadaqat (Zakat) are only for the Fuqara’ (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (Zakat funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun – those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Once your wealth has passed the Nisab threshold, you are eligible to pay Zakat. However, it is not paid straight away. Zakat should be paid after your wealth has been held for a full lunar year but only if the value remains above the minimum threshold amount.
The term Nisab is defined as the threshold amount that a Muslim’s wealth should total to make them eligible to pay Zakat. There are two values used to calculate the Nisab threshold – gold and silver at the value of 612.36 grams of silver and 87.48 grams of gold. The monetary value is calculated on the current price of gold and silver when working out your Zakat contribution.
When talking about Nisab thresholds, you may also come across the term ‘Hawl’ which is the term used to describe the lunar year, the Islamic year or 354 days. The payment of Zakat is expected to be made once every Hawl after your wealth has crossed the Nisab threshold and has remained above the threshold for a full Islamic year.
Zakat is calculated on the following:
2.5% on annual savings and personal wealth
5% on farmer’s assets where crops are irrigated out of the farmer’s pocket
10% on farmer’s assets where crops are irrigated by rain
20% on precious resources found on your property within the lunar year, such as oil, gold and silver
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