OPINION: Open letter to Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON)

Adjimot Ashogbon, a
Nigerian Muslim, has advised business
mogul Aliko Dangote on catering more
for the poor Muslims in the country.
Ashogbon in this piece believes that, if
Dangote takes over 500,000 poor
Muslims out of the streets as his Zakat,
the battered image of Islam in Nigeria
might be salvaged.
Dear Sir,
It is with great humility that I sent this
letter to you. I am not sure it will get to
you though, but I'm hoping and relying
on the power of social media share
button that, perhaps, it will.
If however, you receive this letter,
please note that I desire nothing
personal, but the pleasure of Allah over
you and well being of the Muslims at
large.
Sir, you know very sure that you have
been greatly favoured by Allah among
the entire black race in Africa and
elsewhere, even among men of other
colours, as no name makes echo than
yours across Africa.
Your business is progressing and
expanding on a daily basis and no
household, at least, no one here in
Nigeria, can do without your product.
Even when our nation is experiencing
economic crisis, your business and
wealth continues to grow without limit.
Such is the favour of Allah over you.
Sir, my greatest concern is about your Zakat,
the fourth pillar of Islam, binding upon you as a
Muslim.
Sir, my greatest concern is about your
Zakat, the fourth pillar of Islam,
binding upon you as a Muslim.

As a Muslim from Kano , I'm sure you
knew more than I know about the
importance of Zakat in the life of a
wealthy Muslim. If our noble prophet
Muhammad (saw) were to be alive
today, you definitely would be noticed
by him, and his message to you would
centered on Zakat.
Sir, I am not saying you are not paying
Zakat, but the impact of your Zakat
payment is yet to be seen; it should have
been seen. I say this because the extent
of your wealth is no longer a secret
across the world. For example, it was
reported that, as of today, you are the
richest Black African with about $25
billion.
The Forbes also ranked you as the 67th
Richest person in the world of more
than 7 billion people! Your investment
cut across the globe, you are healthy
and millions of people across the world
earns their livelihood through you. Sir,
"Which of Your Lord's Favours would
you Deny?" (Q.55)
Sir, $25bn is about 5trillion Naira, that
is the size of Nigeria's annual budget,
which has about 140 millions citizens.
Sir, assuming you can pay 2.5%
mandatory Zakat on 3trillion Naira only
from your wealth, that would be some
75bn Naira!

Sir, with 75bn Naira made available
yearly as Zakat for the vulnerable
Muslims, starting from Kano, you can
save Islam from its battered image. You
will agree with me sir, that boko haram
was able to recruits young people
because there is too much poverty
among the Muslims.
Your Zakat can free no less than
500,000 Muslims every year from
poverty if your Zakat is properly used.
The gap between Sunni-Shia Muslims
may also be considerably reduced and
the fortune of Islam and Muslims will
rise again.
Sir, your Zakat alone can defeat the
terrorists which have turned most
Muslim countries of the world to war
theater.
In conclusion sir, help cross-check those
who handle your Zakat to properly
administer it so that the blessings of
Allah becomes manifold. May your
wealth continues to grow, and may your
history never end in the manner of the
richest man in the life-time of Prophet
Musa (AS).
Thank you sir,
Your Daughter in Islam,
Ajimot Ashogbon.