Collection of Zakat in The Gambia: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

The Gambia is a small country in West Africa with the current population of about 2,173,071 of which Islam is the majority religion of the country with around 95% of the population as Muslims and is a characteristic by its coexistence with other religions. The objectives of the study are to examine the status of zakat management, factors affecting the collection of zakat, and implications to improve the zakat management in Gambia. Zakat is one of the most significant aspects in Islamic economics as it is one of fundamental pillars of Islam. It has a direct influence on the socio-economic circumstances of the poor and needy in Muslim communities paying zakat is extremely significant and is a responsibility and duty that has to be carried out by eligible and affluent Muslims. The study employs a cross section survey design which is concerned with how variables are associated and methodology of the study was a quantitative approach with a survey questionnaire. The total population of the study is 150 businessmen who are eligible to pay zakat. According to the outcome results on the status of zakat on issues and challenges, the findings revealed the significance and the relevance of conducting such a study on zakat payers among the business people in the Gambia. The study recommends that policymakers of the country and other institutes of zakat should perform a more effective and stronger role in enlightening and educating the public concerning paying zakat and management issues, which will add further to existing literature on zakat compliance and contribution to knowledge.