The Qur'an's Call to Alms. Zakat, the Muslim Tradition of Alms-giving

Benthall, J. (1998)

Article / Letter to editor

It is a mass-produced plastic model of the octagonal Dome of the Rock shrine in Jerusalem. Two circular strips of paper glued round it depict the ceramic-faced outer walls. There is a slot for coins to be inserted in the roof, and the dome slides off so that coins can be taken out. Mudar, the organiser of the Islamic Zakat Supporting Committee for the Palestinian People, gave me this collecting mosque in Amman, Jordan. I was there conducting a research project to study Islamic philanthropy and obligatory alms (z a k a t). Well, souvenir models of Christian churches are two a penny all over the world, and it would be incredible if some with slots for coins had not been made somewhere; but I do not remember seeing one. Could it be that my gift from Mudar has something to say about a difference between the two religions?

• Jordan

• All authors: Benthall, J.
• Date: 1998
• Journal: ISIM Newsletter
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 13 - 12
• Publisher: ISIM, Leiden