Mauritanian professor Moussa Hormat Allah, a university professor and winner of the Chinguitt Prize, has written an open letter to the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, urging him to revitalize the national zakat administration. In his letter, Hormat Allah recalls that he was the instigator of the creation of this administration 15 years ago, and that he had submitted a study on the matter to the President's office on August 8, 2019. The study led to the creation of the administration by presidential decree on December 28, 2022.
However, Hormat Allah laments that the initiative has been hindered and the administration has been set up in a way that has deviated from its original purpose. Despite the appointment of an experienced and honest person to head the administration, the lack of financial resources has limited its ability to function effectively. Hormat Allah notes that the administration's budget will be crucial in implementing its mission to alleviate poverty and provide support to vulnerable populations.
The professor believes that a well-organized and centralized zakat administration could have a significant impact on the country's development. Experts estimate that with a 50-60% collection rate, the administration's budget could reach hundreds of billions of ouguiyas (MRO). This would enable the administration to provide a monthly allowance to millions of eligible people, helping to eradicate poverty and alleviate social tensions.
Hormat Allah suggests that to revive the project, the zakat administration should be directly attached to the President's office, and the original plan should be implemented. He also emphasizes that the state's commitment to the administration's success is crucial, and that making the payment of zakat optional would compromise the entire operation. Instead, the state could take measures such as requiring a zakat clearance certificate for administrative documents.
The professor proposes a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of zakat as a religious obligation, similar to prayer. He suggests that the President could launch the operation by publicly paying his zakat, followed by the Prime Minister and the President of the National Assembly. This would have a significant impact and create a momentum for others to follow.
Hormat Allah also addresses concerns that the zakat may overlap with tax revenues, arguing that the two are distinct and that the zakat will actually stimulate economic activity and increase tax revenues. He believes that the zakat administration will broaden the tax base and create new opportunities for economic growth.
The implementation of a national zakat administration could have significant benefits for Mauritania's economy and social development. With a centralized and well-organized system, the country could alleviate poverty, reduce social tensions, and promote economic growth. The professor's proposal has sparked renewed interest in the potential of zakat to drive positive change in Mauritania.
Key points
- The professor urges the President to revitalize the national zakat administration to alleviate poverty and boost the economy.
- A well-organized zakat administration could generate hundreds of billions of ouguiyas (MRO) in revenue.
- The professor proposes a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of zakat as a religious obligation.
