The Zakat Affairs Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has started packing and distributing Zakat al-Fitr. This is part of its ongoing efforts to promote social solidarity and deliver Zakat al-Fitr to the deserving persons before Eid al-Fitr prayer. The initiative, according to an official statement from Awqaf, is implemented in co-operation with a major shopping mall. It was attended by students from Al Noor Quranic Educational Centre affiliated with the Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance. The aim is to instill the values ​​of giving and charitable work in the hearts of young generations. Youssef Hassan al-Hammadi, head of the Zakat Services Department, stated that the department has set the value of a sa' (one sa') of the local staple food for this year at QR15 per person. This is equivalent to 2.5kg of rice. The Zakat Affairs Department has co-operated with a leading delivery company to distribute the food baskets to eligible families before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. This is in order to ensure the kits reach the beneficiaries on time and in a manner that preserves the dignity of the beneficiaries and avoids any embarrassment. The Zakat al-Fitr include rice, flour and lentils. Al-Hammadi noted that the department was keen to select the best and highest quality varieties available in the local market to ensure adequate food for needy families and bring them joy and happiness on Eid al-Fitr. “All of the Zakat al-Fitr funds are converted into food distributed to those in need within Qatar without any deductions. This complies with Islamic Shariah law," he said. This initiative comes within the framework of the Zakat Affairs Department's efforts to activate community partnerships and promote the values ​​of solidarity and compassion among members of society. Students from Al Noor Qur'anic Educational Center were involved in the process of filling the kits to instill in them the values ​​of social responsibility and charitable work and engage them in efforts to support families in need during the holy month. The Zakat Affairs Department noted that Zakat al-Fitr can be paid early during Ramadan. The Zakat payer delegates the Zakat Affairs Department, which is responsible for distributing it to those entitled to it at the prescribed time, ensuring that it reaches those entitled to it before the Eid prayer and absolving the Zakat payer of his obligation. This is in line with the teachings of Islamic Shariah. Zakat al-Fitr can be paid through the Zakat Affairs Department’s website https://zf.org.qa/QibOnlinePay/Pay?cat=zakatfitr and smartphone applications available for Android and IOS devices. Also, it can be paid by sending SMS Z in English or letter Za in Arabic to 92229 for Ooredoo users and 97779 for Vodafone users. Collection points are functional in more than 30 mosques. Their locations are posted daily on the department's social media accounts. This reinforces the mosque's social role and facilitates Zakat donors' access to their Zakat.