Giving Zakah to an organization that provides for the poor and orphans

Q: The Arabic Islamic University in Chittagong, Bangladesh, guarantees residence and sustenance for more than five hundred students from among the poor and orphans. It provides them with food for free from the beginning of the school year until its end. Is it permissible for the benevolent people to give Zakah (obligatory charity), donations, and other forms of Sadaqah (voluntary charity) (Part No. 8; Page No. 316) to this university?

A: It is permissible to give Zakah to an organization that provides for the poor and orphans, whether a university or otherwise, because it acts as the agent of the one who pays Zakah regarding the delivery of Zakah to the deserving recipients.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.