Explain five ways in which Muslims in Kenya help in the reduction of poverty in their community.

KCSE IRE Paper 2 2010 Question 3(a) with Answers and Marking Scheme.

​(a) Explain five ways in which Muslims in Kenya help in the reduction of poverty in their community. (10 marks)

Ways in which Muslims in Kenya help in the reduction of Poverty in their community

1. By the payment of Zakat. The payment of Zakat is obligatory as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims pay a certain fixed proportion of their  wealth and on every kind of property liable for Zakat annually for the benefit of the poor in the community.
2. The payment of sadaqah. This is alms (or anything) given in charity to help the poor and needy in the community.
3. The application of Islamic Shariah to protect the properly of the most vulnerable in the society e.g widows and orphans. They are also safeguarded against exploitation and protected against human right abuses that could leave them destitute.
4. The work of Muslim charity organizations and non-Governmental organizations whose programmes are tailored to eradicate poverty and to help the less fortunate to improve their standards of living.
5. Muslims provide, promote and encourage the education and training of the youth so that they can be equipped with relevant knowledge and skills for gainful employment  and for the development of the community. Education and training also enhance equity, economic growth and expansion of employment opportunities.
6. Muslim organizations and individuals provide bursaries and scholarships to Muslim children who cannot afford school fees. This helps all Muslim youths regardless of their class to benefit from education.
7. By providing polytechnics and other post school institutions where school leavers can be trained in technical/industrial/vocational and entrepreneurship knowledge and skill s for job employment or self-employment.
8. The contribution of Muslim entrepreneurs in commence and industry. These help in the creation of wealth and provision of employment for Muslims.
9. Through civic education where Muslims are sensitized in strategies of wealth creation e.g entrepreneur skills, proper management and use of resources, dignity of work, evils of corruption, preservation and conservation of the environment and natural resources.
10. Application of Islamic commercial law and ethics in business to safeguard the poor (and ignorant) from being exploited and cheated/the poor are accorded social justice.
11. Muslim politicians and human rights activists have been calling for and advocating for equitable distribution and allocation of resources and for the development (hence economic growth) and provision of necessary infrastructure and basic services (necessary bedrock in areas which had been neglected in the past). This will greatly benefit Muslims who live in those areas economically.
12. Muslims have formed self-help groups which initiate income generating projects. These projects a flow members to exploit their gifts, skills, talents creativity and potential for self development and the development of the community.
13. Muslims are involved and participate in community development activities meant to bring development in the community e.g. water projects, cooperative movements, agriculture/animal keeping projects which are catalysts to economic growth and development. 

(5x2 = 10 marks.)

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