His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday donated JD50,000 to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Zakat Fund to provide aid to underprivileged families.



During a visit to the Fund, the King commended the institution's efforts as well as that of the 167 zakat committees across the Kingdom.



Zakat Fund Director Ali Qatarneh briefed the King on the facility's goals and programmes.



In 2004, the Fund carried out rehabilitation projects in various fields that benefited 107 needy families at the cost of JD46,500. In addition, the fund distributed 14,000 food parcels valued at JD150,000 and 5,000 schoolbags worth JD25,000.



In addition, 12,750 needy families benefited from monthly cash assistance totaling JD3.7 million last year.



The Fund also handed out JD276,000 in urgent assistance that benefited 10,000 needy people.



The Fund's assistance covered 16,832 orphans with JD3.4 million in aid.
The Zakat Fund, which is financially and administratively independent, also supervises nine healthcare centers, which extend help to more than 5,000 people monthly at no charge.



Following the King's visit, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdul Salam Abbadi told reporters that the fund started establishing a JD3 million hospital in the Nazzal neighbourhood with a 120-bed capacity in 2002 to increase the number of needy people covered by the Fund.



The hospital, which is expected to be completed by late 2006, is being constructed over 7,000 square metres and will be fully equipped with latest medical supplies and devices, said the minister.



Also Thursday, King Abdullah issued instructions for the payment of JD50 each to families of army and security personnel who died in the line of duty.



The gesture was made a day after King Abdullah announced the allocation of JD50 each for retired and serving military and security personnel, as well as civil servants and retirees.

By Mohammad Ghazal

The Jordan Times