Saudi Arabia's mufti said today that aid already sent to aid the famine in Somalia does not count as Zakat el-Fitr, a charity donation compulsory for Muslims during the Eid el-Fitr holiday. “The fatwa issued by Dar el-Iftaa permits to pay Zakat (normal charity) relief to Somalians, but it doesn't count as Zakat el-Fitr,” said Saudi Arabian Mufti Sheikh Ibn Abdallah El-Sheikh. He added all those who paid Zakat el-Fitr as relief to Somalia should pay the charity again during the proper time frame. The fatwa, a religious proclamation, was made after many Saudi Arabians who were enthusiastic to participate in Somalia's relief campaign prematurely sent their Zakat el-Fitr to the cause. Some misunderstood the fatwa allowing regular zakat to be sent to Somalia and paid Zakat el-Fitr as a relief to Somalians. The Saudi Arabian Mufti announced the date to pay Zakat el-Fitr will be the night before Eid el-Fitr, the feast following the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, or on the first day of Eid before the Eid Prayer. Money paid before that time cannot be considered Zakat el-Fitr. He made this statement to Saudi Arabian newspaper, El-Riyad. “Zakat el-Fitr is an obligation for all Muslims, and must be paid at sunset of the last day of Ramadan and before Eid prayer.”
