A comparative performance review of zakat and Samurdhi scheme for poverty alleviation among Muslim community: a special reference to Akkaraipattu in Ampara district

Abstract

Poverty is one of the important problems of economic, social and religious in every county. Even though poverty alleviation programs are conducted all over the world, this poverty is also a very big problem in our country Sri Lanka. Therefore, among the communities in Sri Lanka, Muslim community also faces poverty reflections and problems among their society even they get benefits from both Zakat and Samurdhi programs. Therefore, this study was conducted a comparative study on the poverty alleviation programs among the Muslim community in Akkaraipattu in Ampara district of Sri Lanka. So, this study aims to analyze the performance of both poverty alleviation programs among Muslim community by analyzing both primary and secondary data from both intuitions which are situated in Akkaraipattu region. This study reviewed the secondary data and primary data to identify a good poverty alleviation program among the Muslim community. Based on the analyzed data, research was concluded zakat fund is effective poverty alleviation program among Muslim community because of unique elements in projects for the poverty alleviation among the Muslim community.