Sharia Information and Documentation Project (SIDOP)

SIDOP BULLETIN No. 1, July 2003

Social Welfare and Islamic Civil Society Organizations in Kano State

Observers of Islamic civil society organizations in Kano State have viewed these groups in terms of their corresponding affiliation to Islamic sects, their relationship of antagonism or support for the state and increasingly, their role in the recent struggle for the introduction of criminal Sharia. A more interesting point of commonality amongst these organizations, of which little is known, is their role in the delivery of a range of social welfare services to the poor and vulnerable in Kano society. Surprisingly, the entire discussion on poverty alleviation which took place nationally in the past 4 years has failed to focus on the role of such groups.

The reality is that most Islamic civil society organizations are engaged in social welfare for the weak and vulnerable of the society. The weak and vulnerable include women, widows, prison inmates, the mentally ill, indigent patients in hospital and the disadvantaged in the society. The reach of Islamic civil society activities vary greatly from one organization to another with some groups having more sustainable impact than others. Examples of Islamic civil society organizations in Kano State engaging in social welfare vary from the well known Muslim Sisters Organization (MSO) with its numerous schools and girl child education programs to the Islamic Medical Workers Association (ISMA) which provides medical care for poor and destitute patients in public hospitals in Kano State.

Some of the other well known Islamic social welfare organizations in the State include Al-Birr which is a modern association whose members are educated in both modern and Islamic forms of education. Al-Birr is noted for its work amongst prison inmates, homeless children, those who are confined to psychiatric hospitals and indigent patients in hospitals. The group mobilizes resources which they use to buy food, medicine and fruits for distribution to inmates in institutions. In addition, the group mobilizes people (not necessarily their members) to participate in prison inmate visits. They argue that visits from community members reduces social isolation amongst the inmates.

The Sabilur Rashad Islamic Trust is noted for its social provisioning work amongst women, widows, destitutes and the poor in the community. Its level of operation covers the entire State as its beneficiaries cut across several local governments. The organization mobilizes resources amongst the wealthy in the community which it uses for its interventions. The month of Ramadan is the peak period of the operations of the organization. During this month food stuff and money are distributed to widows, destitutes, orphans, the aged and the poor. In addition cooked food, beverages and fruits are provided to people in the mosque during breaking of fast especially to youths in the community who have no families of their own to feed them. The wealth in the community are especially encouraged to bring food and fruits from their houses and if possible to eat with the community as a way of encouraging Islamic brotherhood.

The Islamic Foundation was formed in the 1970s. As a result of its standing in the community, its leaders receive substantial financial support from wealthy individuals in the state. Its activities initially began with the establishment of a primary school, later girls secondary schools were established. It also runs one of the oldest adult literacy classes in the State. In addition, the Foundation engages in the provision of food during Ramadan fasting period, it also caters for the indigent in the society. The organization also runs a hospital (Al-Noury Hospital) which provides subsidized health care for needy members of the community.

The Usman Bin Affan Islamic Trust is a registered Islamic Trust. Its main areas of activities include women education, advocacy and social provisioning. It is a modern organization formed in the mid-nineties. The objective of the organization stems from what they view as the degeneration of the Muslim community and the falling standard of Islamic practice due to the introduction of innovations into the religion. Social welfare interventions are generally target women, the poor and prison inmates within the Muslim community.

Islamic civil society organizations in Kano State are largely rely on internally generated sources income for social welfare activities. Despite the poverty of the communities in which they operate, contributions from members as well as modest proceeds from primary schools and hospitals along with donations from philanthropists provide the main sources of funding for their activities.

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