AWARENESS OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AMONG ZAKAT BENEFICIARIES IN TAIZ, YEMEN

Abstract

In the backdrop of enduring conflicts within numerous Islamic nations, Yemen's ongoing civil war since 2015 warrants particular attention due to its catastrophic humanitarian implications. Characterized as the world's worst humanitarian crisis by various international bodies, Yemen's predicament encompasses extreme poverty, the disintegration of health and education infrastructures, and extensive displacement, both internally and externally. The city of Taiz represents a salient example of such devastation, as its protracted siege since 2015 has plunged a majority of its citizens into destitution, making them reliant on external aid. The intervention of local and global organizations via different sources, notably zakat (a form of charitable giving), forms the fulcrum of several relief efforts. This study explores the populace's cognizance regarding the role of zakat in achieving specific United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth in 2015, particularly within conflict zones such as Taiz. The goals addressed in this study include poverty alleviation, eradication of hunger, promotion of health and well-being, provision of quality education, and facilitation of decent work, chosen due to their alignment with Zakat recipient categories. The research methodology adopted a quantitative approach, deploying a questionnaire distributed to zakat beneficiaries in Taiz. From a pool of 400 collected responses, the study discerned a pronounced lack of awareness concerning SDGs among the residents of Taiz. Despite zakat's significant contribution to certain SDGs, such as ensuring adequate food distribution, disseminating health awareness and preventive guidance, and creating employment for low-income families, the majority of respondents held the perception that zakat's contribution towards accomplishing the remainder of the SDGs remained sub-optimal. This paper delineates an empirical examination of the intersection between zakat and the Sustainable Development Goals within a war-ravaged environment, offering insights into the potential of religious charity as a mechanism for socio-economic relief and development.