Zakat Funds Collect 15 Million Euros in 2011, Official

The Zakat fund of this year collected 1.414 billion DZD (about 15 million Euros), comparing to 184 million in 2010, Ministry of Religious Affairs announced.

Spokesman for the Ministry, Ada Fellahi, told reporters that the ministry has decided increasing the 0 percent interest loan destined to unemployed youth to 500 000 DZD, rather than 300.000 DZD.

The priority is given to fresh graduates, who are invited to file their applications on the level of regional rreligious affairs offices nationwide, Mr Adda added.

He further stressed that the Ministry services will continue working on monitoring Zakat money and transferring them, transparently, to needy people.

However, the official rebuffed reports that Imams and mosques caretakers steal Zakat money, saying there are special committees inside mosques tasked with controlling Zakat funds.