LuLu Hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia have joined multiple charities in the region to help customers fulfill one of the most pious and important obligations of Zakat Al-Fitr — alms prescribed in the Holy Qur’an to be given by Muslims to the needy, at the end of Ramadan. The arrangement is a continuation of a cherished tradition at LuLu, which enables the public to contribute their zakat effectively, swiftly, and transparently to the Alber Association.
All LuLu Hypermarkets in the Kingdom are part of the agreement — with the Masaie and Qoutof charities in Riyadh, with Alfaisaliah Charity in Jeddah, and with Alber Association in the Eastern Province.
LuLu has set up a dedicated area in its stores in Riyadh and Jeddah, for customers to donate rice and on the day before Eid, the charity associations will distribute the rice to the needy people.
In the Eastern Province, LuLu customers can pay SR21 ($5.60) as zakat during checkout or online and even as a bank transfer directly to the program account. Alber Association will channel it in the form of a bag of rice, which will then be distributed by Alber to needy families on behalf of the zakat payer.
“We are honored to be a channel for this auspicious spiritual duty of zakat and have been receiving the donations from the first day of the holy month,” said Shehim Mohammed, director of LuLu Hypermarket Saudi Arabia. “The system is convenient, transparent and accessible to all. Zakat shall continue to be received till the night of Eid Al-Fitr.”
In addition, LuLu has introduced “Iftar Boxes” in collaboration with the Saudi Food Bank. The “Iftar Boxes” are convenient packs of after-fasting essential meals that customers can buy for SR15 or SR99 each, depending on the size. There is also an option to donate the said amount through the hypermarket’s cash counters and the Saudi Food Bank will use the donations to distribute the iftar boxes to the needy and charity groups that reach out to those in need.
