The Zakah funds paid to the Committee for the Relief of Kosovo People

Fatwa no. 20955 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Last of the Prophets, Muhammad.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has reviewed the submitted question to His Eminence the Grand Mufty (Islamic scholar qualified to issue legal opinions), by His Excellency, Dr. `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Abdul-`Aziz Al-Suwailim the Head of Saudi Red Crescent Society and the Chairman of the Saudi Joint Committee for Relief of Kosovo People under no. (R 306) dated on 15 Rabi` Al-Awwal, 1420 A.H. The question was referred to the Committee by the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars under no. 1943 dated on 15 Rabi` Al-Awwal, 1420 A.H. His Eminence's letter states: (Part No. 8; Page No. 345) His Eminence Shaykh, `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah Al Al-Shaykh the Grand Mufty and the Head of Council of Senior Scholars, As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!) I pray for Your Eminence success and guidance. On the basis of care and interest in Muslims' affairs by our rightly-guided government, the Noble Royal Decree no. (gh b 1863) dated 3 Safar, 1420 A.H. was issued. It stated the formation of a joint committee for the relief of Kosovo people. One of the tasks of this committee is fundraising and collection of donations in goods and cash. Some of these donations are either Zakah (obligatory charity) or Sadaqah (voluntary charity). As you know (may Allah keep you safe), administering these projects entail allocating a portion of these donations for administrative costs such as employees salaries, renting and furnishing buildings, media work for public awareness, communications, transportation, etc. Hence, I ask Your Eminence's view on this matter and the appropriate Shar'i percentage that can be deducted from the total of donations to cover these costs.May Allah keep you safe! As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh