Hyderabad, March 18 -- As the sacred month of Ramzan reaches its halfway mark, the focus of devout Muslims shifts towards charity and donations. Zakat, an obligatory almsgiving, plays a crucial role in uplifting the less privileged. It is a means to bring joy and relief to struggling households and is considered a fundamental act of worship. Traditionally, a significant portion of zakat has gone to madrasas that impart religious education. However, in recent years, a growing number of community-based voluntary organizations have been seeking zakat contributions to fund secular education and welfare programmes.

Organizations like the Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust (HZCT), spearheaded by Giasuddin Babukhan, have pioneered the use of ...