Cengiz Kurtaran, President of the Hope Caravan Foundation, has issued a powerful call to Muslims worldwide, urging them to fulfill their zakat obligations and harness the transformative potential of this Islamic practice to combat global poverty and inequality.

In an interview with ILKHA, Kurtaran emphasized that the total zakat potential of the Islamic world, based on 2019 data, amounts to a staggering $10 trillion—an amount that, if properly distributed, could provide relief to billions of people struggling to survive.

Kurtaran highlighted the dire circumstances faced by billions across the globe, particularly in predominantly Muslim regions, where millions lack access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare. “While the world’s total wealth reached an estimated $463.6 trillion in 2021, 3.4 billion people are surviving on just $5 per day,” he said, pointing to the stark disparities in global wealth distribution. He also noted that the combined wealth of the world’s 10 richest individuals stands at $1.6 trillion, underscoring the urgent need for systemic mechanisms like zakat to address such inequalities.

Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory form of charity aimed at reducing income inequality and supporting the underprivileged. Kurtaran stressed its religious significance, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when acts of charity carry additional spiritual rewards. “In many verses of the Quran, Allah orders zakat alongside prayer,” he explained. “It is an obligation for Muslims, and giving zakat during Ramadan is especially blessed. As Allah states in Surah Zariyat, ‘There is a right for the needy in the wealth of the rich.’ It is crucial that our benefactors support the underprivileged in a way that preserves their dignity.”

Despite its potential, Kurtaran lamented that the Islamic world has yet to fully embrace zakat as a tool for social justice. He pointed to Turkey’s annual zakat potential of $55 billion and the global Islamic zakat potential of $10 trillion, arguing that these figures demonstrate the possibility of eradicating poverty entirely if the obligation is fulfilled universally. “These numbers show that if Muslims worldwide honor their zakat obligations, poverty could be eliminated,” he said. “Yet, in many countries, our brothers and sisters are dying of hunger, struggling with cold, and living in extreme poverty, which shows that we have not fully embraced this vital act of worship.”

Kurtaran’s remarks come as part of a broader appeal during Ramadan, a time when Muslims are encouraged to reflect on their responsibilities to the less fortunate. He urged all Muslims whose wealth meets the nisab threshold—the minimum amount required for zakat to be obligatory—to act promptly. “During this blessed month, deliver your zakat and fitrah to those in need,” he said. “By doing so, you not only fulfill a religious duty but also share in the immense blessings of Ramadan.”

The Hope Caravan Foundation, under Kurtaran’s leadership, is actively working to channel donations to those most in need, collaborating with trusted non-governmental organizations to ensure aid is delivered effectively and with dignity. Kurtaran encouraged benefactors to partner with reputable organizations to maximize the impact of their contributions, emphasizing that zakat, when properly managed, has the power to transform lives on a global scale. “If zakat is given as it should be, poverty can be eradicated, and everyone can live with dignity and comfort,” he concluded.

The foundation’s appeal is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the unrealized potential of zakat and to inspire collective action within the Islamic world. As Ramadan continues, the message from the Hope Caravan Foundation serves as both a reminder of religious duty and a rallying cry for a more equitable future. (ILKHA)