Infaq for Sustainable Development: The Pathway to Achieving No Poverty and Zero Hunger in Bangladesh
Md. Ferdausur Rahman1, Tunku Salha Tunku Ahmad1, Md. Aminul Islam1, Md Asadul Islam1*
1 Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected] Accepted: 15 October 2022 | Published: 1 November 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55057/ijaref.2022.4.3.23
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Abstract: The objective of this paper is to identify the role of ‘Infaq’ in alleviating poverty and hunger in Bangladesh. Therefore, this research introduces the Infaq supported ‘One to One Employment Model’ to eliminate poverty and hunger in Bangladesh. The study also finds out the challenges in Infaq model execution in Bangladesh. The study applied a mixed-method, i.e., qualitative and quantitative approach including primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected following the semi-structured interviews, while quantitative data has been presented from the secondary sources. The terms "poverty" and "hunger" are conceived in light of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, whereas the notion of "Sadaqa" is derived from the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Fiqh. The research draws on labour market statistics for the 2019–20 session collected by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank from employers, job seekers, and the agricultural and service sectors in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the infaq of a fully employed person may lead to self-employment in the service and agricultural sectors for an estimated 26 lakh unemployed people and 1.30 crore partially unemployed people. It can be implemented by the direct participation of the Local Government Administration, initiated as ‘One to One Employment Model". However, the qualitative results reflect that there could be some challenges, such as lack of interest, lack of practicing Muslims, complicated social structure, and lack of coordination. To overcome these challenges, the researchers have also presented some recommendations from the participants in semi- structured interviews.
Keywords: Infaq, Sadaqah, Hunger, Sustainable Development Goal, Bangladesh
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1. Introduction
At the inception of the 4th industrial revolution (Schwab, 2016) and the midpoint of pandemic COVID-19 throughout the world, 821 million people, approximately i.e., 1 in 9, are undernourished (Un.org, 2018). Food production and consumption practices are at the heart of many global issues, including poverty, hunger and malnutrition, insufficient diets, land degradation, water shortages, social inequality, biodiversity loss, and climate change (FAO 2014; Foresight 2011). Food security is a major focus of the United Nations' second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2), Zero Hunger, which was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Scientific concepts that control agro-ecosystems and their effects on natural ecosystems provide the basis for goals such as adaptive capacity, ecosystem quality, and genetic diversity (Gliessman, 2007; Kremen & Miles, 2012; Matson, 1997; Robertson et al., 2014; Shennan, 2008). Forty million people, or one-quarter of the population, remain food
insecure in Bangladesh, the world's most populous nation, and eleven million suffer from severe hunger. This is despite the fact that the country has received more than 740,000 Rohingya refugees (WFP, 2018). With just 8.75 million hectares of farmable land, the agricultural industry must feed 163.65 million people (Salam et al., 2014). The food system involves delivering food and nutrition security while confronting unprecedented sustainability problems; this underscores the need to transition to more sustainable food systems (Vermeulen et al., 2012; World Bank, 2015). (Vermeulen et al., 2012; World Bank, 2015).
Sen (1981) argues that eliminating hunger and malnutrition requires addressing poverty first.
However, the United Nations (2016) argues that eliminating hunger and malnutrition would not be possible until poverty is also eradicated. Development in rural regions is essential to developing a sustainable food system that results in zero hunger since poverty is more concentrated there than in cities throughout the continent and the globe (Diao et al., 2010;
ADB/ADF, 2000; Anriquez and Stamoulis, 2007). Sustainable agriculture, aided by cutting- edge tools and equitable distribution networks, can end world hunger once and for all (The Global Goals, 2016). The Sadaqa, or charity to mankind in Islamic principles, can help alleviate poverty, advance rural and agricultural development, create an equitable food distribution system, and ensure the long-term safety of the world's food supply, according to a verse from the Holy Quran that reads, "In your earned asset there is a right of the depressed person of the society" (Al Quran-51:19). Sadaqah is the tool to remove poverty and to eradicate hunger tending to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 in the world, specifically Bangladesh (Awang, 2017). Sadaqah has two themes: mandatory (such as Zakat, Ushr, Osiah, etc.) and voluntary (such as Infaq, Waqf, gift, work for self, work for others, and work for the environment). Sadaqa or charitable giving is not only described as generating money to aid needy people but also an act of goodwill and empathy towards others (Advanced English Dictionary-2000) (Advanced English Dictionary-2000). Sadaqa is a mechanism for creating social and economic stability, and it is also a manifestation of the altruistic act of love for one's fellow man that involves providing material assistance to those in need (Bensaid and Grine, 2013). Sadaqa refers to a variety of good deeds performed for the sake of Allah, but in general it refers to a person's charitable giving to others. The study investigates the Sadaqa as the tool to achieve SDG-2, zero hunger targets like access to safe and nutritious food through the implementation of one-to-one model and the farmers’ empowerment model (Saripudin Djamil and Rodoni, 2020) for rural development, doubling the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
Bangladesh's government has set a goal of reducing poverty to 9.7 percent and hunger to fewer than 10 percent by the year 2030. There are thousands of microfinance institutions and dozens of government agencies (including the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Food (MoFood), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Ministry of Industries (MoInd), Economic Resource Division (ERD), Ministry of Commerce (MoC), and Finance Division (FD)) all working hard every year to try to meet the target, but the results are never quite good enough. However, Islamic financial tools like Sadaqa, the charity, may break the starvation cycle in Bangladesh, a nation with a Muslim majority. Islamic economics is unique in that it focuses on the individual and the state to provide for all of a person's needs (Iskandar, Usman
& Shaharuddin, 2021). Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 in Bangladesh is mostly attained by the voluntary Sadaqa Infaq, which may be the crucial weapon to eradicate hunger.
The research shows how a sustainable food system may be established and poverty eradicated in Bangladesh via measures such as the voluntary creation of jobs through Sadaqa and the implementation of economic empowerment for farmers in rural areas.
However, Hossain (2013) showed that poverty alleviation is possible in Bangladesh completely through Mosque-based Zakat Administration within 12.5 years. Rahman Hossain and Sina
(2013) stated that within 3 to 5 years by proper collection and distribution of Zakat Bangladesh will be free from poverty assuming that one person will make a poor person so wealthy that he will not take Zakat in future. Ali and Rahman (2007) states in the study entitled “Poverty alleviation through Zakat” that by proper Zakat distribution Bangladesh will be turned into a poverty free country within 10 years mentioning that minimum 5000 crore taka is supposed to be collected from Zakat in Bangladesh every year (Daily Amardesh October 14, 2006). Nor et al. (2017) stated about Sadaqa block chain for disaster, Alaydrus & Widiastuti (2015) narrated about the effect of Zakat Infaq and Sadaqa the growth of micro-enterprise and welfare of mustahiq in Pasuruan Indonesia. Triyowati, Masnita and Khomsiyah (2018) wrote about
‘Sustainable Development’ achievement through Zakat-Infaq-Sadaqah. Saripudin et al. (2020) showed farmers economic empowerment model by Zakat Infaq Alms. But no authors said about Infaq contribution in SDG achieving. Zakat is mandatory spending, Alms itself is a kindness. The study will show One to One Employment Model with Infaq only by which poverty and hunger can be eliminated in Bangladesh within a short duration.
Therefore, the study aims at addressing the following specific objectives:
i. To identify the role of ‘Infaq’ in alleviating poverty and hunger in Bangladesh.
ii. To introduce the Infaq supported ‘One to One Employment model’ to eliminate poverty and hunger in Bangladesh.
iii. To find out the challenges in Infaq model execution in Bangladesh
The study chooses Bangladesh due to some reasons. Aiming to eliminate poverty and hunger by 10% by 2030, this nation has a rural-urban population ratio of 63:37 (Data. worldbank.org, 2020) and a current overall poverty rate of 21.8% (2019). The unemployment rate in the nation is 4.2% (2019), which translates to around 26,000 unemployed adults (Data.worldbank.org, n.d.), more than half of them are part of the millennial generation. In this case, there are 1.82 million persons jobless in rural areas, compared to 0.77 million in metropolitan areas (Khan, 2020). Because of this, rural development is crucial to the nation's long-term progress. About 39% of the rural workforce is employed in agriculture, which contributes 15% to GDP, while 54% of the workforce is employed in the service sector, which contributes 10% to GDP. Higher crop, milk, and egg production are just some of the benefits that could accrue from the Muslim community's increased focus on empowering farmers through Infaq-Sadaqa donations and the distribution of Infaq from employed individuals to the unemployed in order to facilitate the creation of new jobs and business ventures. Infaq-Sadaqa, given to the impoverished and jobless, will help individuals of all faiths and backgrounds find gainful employment and raise their standard of living, which includes ensuring they have enough money to put food on the table. Consequently, the research serves as the basis for Bangladesh before, during, and after Covid-19.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Concept of Sadaqa and Infaq
In contrast to the ordinary understanding of charity, which is motivated by a desire to do good for the benefit of others, the goal of Islamic generosity, known as Sadaqa, is to earn the favor of God. Numerous subcategories of philanthropy may be simplified into the two broad categories of "voluntary" and "mandated" contributions. The voluntary charitable giving component is broken down into subcomponents that indicate how each aspect has been elaborated upon. This is notably true of the Waqf, Hibah, Hadiyah, and Wasiah that make up the voluntary charitable giving system (Awang, 2017). Ibn Manẓūr defined Sadaqa as to be truthfully linked to the passion and characteristics of individuals of helping needy people to make Allah happy for example husbands in Islam needs to pay dowry to their wife(wives).
Furthermore, Sadaqa is also refered as the sincere, dedicated, faithful, to confirm or establish truth based on what has been said, to be accountable, and to keep the faith of veracity, soundness, sincerity, and excellence in doing various works and promises only because of Allah (John Penrice 2006). Yusof et al (2018) claimed that the three main Islamic donation mechanisms—Zakat, Waqf (endowment), and Infaq (Economic Giving, Also Known as Sadaqa)—form the basis of social security in Islam (Hasan & Domingo 2009). Infaq, in contrast to Zakat, which is defined as "charity at the rate of 2.5 percent of the wealth yearly and must be given to eight designated sectors" (Al Qur'an, Sua At-tauba-60), is an act of spontaneous voluntary giving that might take the shape of material or immaterial assistance to those in need (Muslehuddin 1974). Infaq comes from word anfaqo (Baqarah: 272) yunfiqu (Baqarah: 03) word meaning is to spend or to finance. The word of anfaqa itself is the original word which means: run out, finance, lost, expenditure, cost, and sustenance. Meanwhile, according to shariah terminology, infaq means removing some of the property or income for interest for some religious obligation that is commanded by the Islamic doctrine (Latif, 2003).
Infaq’s word is often referred to in the Qur'an in various sentences with various meanings (Afif and Anggoro 2018) that some verses of the Holy Quran state about Zakat as infaq, some states about willing spend for relatives, poor, needy and travelers (Baqarah: 177 &215). The study states about only voluntary economic giving to human beings. Awang (2017) devised four imperative elements of charitable donations that are performed on the basis of the Quran, Hadith and also based on opinion by Islamic scholars.
2.2 Donor and Recipients of Infaq
The donor is the person, who donates his money or goods (wealth) to the needy person and he or she must have sanity, reached puberty, ability to think and capable to make transactions. In Arabic word Al-ahliyyat, the quality of donor is outlined as the legal capacity and competence of a person, who accept the duties and achieve the rights. According to Wahbah al-Zuhaylī in Al-ahliyyah in muamalat is devided into two types as below:
i) Ahliyyah al-Wujub (the capacity to acquire rights and obligations ii) Ahliyyah al-Ada’ (the capacity to execute). (Awang, 2017)
From the Holy Quran “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives Zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous” (Al-Baqarah 2:177),
As explained by Ibn Kathīr, the recipients of Infaq are the followings- i. Needy Kinsfolk or relatives.
ii. The orphans (lost fathers but need to governance from others)
iii. The poor without sufficient food, home or clothing and other basic needs. (al-Miskīn) iv. The wanderers (travelers in need of money so that he or she can return home or homeland therefore must be helped). (Ibn al-Sabīl)
v. The beggars (beg for charity). (as-Sā’il) vi. Setting servants free. (al-Riqab)
Al-Qurṭubī opined the spending as non-Zakat spending, however it is an obligation in the case of spending wealth. This spending is in addition to Zakat. Moreover, we can donate anyone who needs even he or she might be non-Muslim. Refer to following verse;
“Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but ALLAH guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of ALLAH. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged”- (Al-Baqarah 2:272).
Awang (2017) states that the verse gives permission to provide charity anyone even if the recipient is the non-muslim. According to Ibn Kathīr, based on opinion of Ḥassan al-Baṣrī, only to make happy Allah charity is given, therefore, donor will not be asked about the status or religion of recipient. Furthermore, Al-Qurṭubī explains the verse stating that the Prophet prohibits the charities only with the objective of drawing Jew to Islam. Later Allah commands with the permission to provide charity to the non-muslim, however, charity cannot be forced as a means of drawing non-muslim to the Islam.
2.3 Eligibility and Intention of Infaq
The giving elements spent to recipients should be the excess asset (Al-Baqarah 2:219) about which donors have love (Ali ‘Imrān 3:92) and the donated wealth will be of course the good things among the asset of donor (Al-Baqarah 2:267).
The Infaq or charitable spending to the human beings may be secretly and publicly (Al-Ra‘d 13:22) but secretly given is more accurate in the eye of ALLAH and nearer to satisfaction of Allah (Al-Baqarah 2:271). On the reference of Hadith by Ibn Abbas (Ra), Ibn Kathīr, Al- Marāghi and al-Qurṭubī opined that mandatory spending like Zakat can be or should be given publicly on the contrary voluntary giving should be given secretly.
The intention of Infaq or any kind of Sadaqa to human beings is the love of Allah (Baqara 2:
177, & Al-Insān 76:9) as the creator Allah will reward the donor (Al-Baqarah 2:262). The intention of donor will not be for showing his generosity to the people rather to satisfy the creator Allah (Al-Baqarah 2:264).
2.4 SDG 1: No Poverty
In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to better people's lives throughout the world by 2030. Zero poverty is one of these aims. It is estimated that as of 2015, some 736 million people were still living on less than US$1.90 a day. Many of these people also lack access to basic necessities such as adequate nutrition, sanitary living conditions, and adequate sanitation. Nearly eighty percent of the populations of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are classified as living in severe poverty (UNDP, 2015). New work is required to alleviate poverty now that more modern dangers are being evaluated, such as climate change, food instability, war, and conflicts. The SDGs represent a major undertaking with the aim of ending poverty in all its manifestations by the year 2030.
2.5 SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Sustainable goal no. 2 Zero illustrates Hunger pledges to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. There has to be cooperation between governments, people, civil society groups, and the commercial sector to invest in, develop, and build long-term solutions to global hunger if we are to see it eradicated by 2030 (Wfp.org, 2015). According to Sustainable Development Goals Fund (2018), the targets of Zero hunger set up at the United Nations conference 2015 are accessing to safe and nutritious food, ending malnutrition, doubling the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, sustainable food Production and Resilient Agricultural Practices, Maintain the
Genetic Diversity in Food Production, Invest in Rural Infrastructure, Agricultural Research, Technology and Gene Banks Prevent Agricultural Trade Restrictions, Market Distortions and Export Subsidies Ensure Stable Food Commodity Markets and Timely Access to Information via job creation, tree planting, self-employment creation, sadaqa institution building and rural development.
2.6 Efforts for No Poverty and Zero Hunger in Bangladesh
To help the government of Bangladesh reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of
"Zero Hunger" by 2030, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has established a four-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2017-2020 with a budget of USD 201.6 million. The Cox's Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts CSP exemplifies the shift from a food aid provider to a facilitator of governments seeking out national hunger solutions. As 2 million young people join the workforce every year, the World Bank has prioritized job creation as a means of combating the country's high unemployment rate and widespread poverty. With the aid of IDA from the World Bank, Bangladesh was able to construct 800 kilometers of new roads, maintain 4,500 kilometers of rural roads in 26 districts, dredge 47 kilometers of rural waterways, and provide potable water to an additional 1.1 million people in rural areas. Over a million rural families are improving their farming practices via IDA-funded programs, and another half a million are improving their resilience to natural disasters by stockpiling grain. The seventh rural development five-year plan has been approved by the government. Furthermore, there are now 2554 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered under the government of Bangladesh (Muneer, 2017), with 233 of them being foreign NGOs engaged in national catastrophes, sustainable system development, and popular movements (Roy, Raquib and Sarker, 2017). The outcome, however, is not yet satisfying. About 22 million people in Bangladesh are still poor according to the worldwide poverty level of $1.90 per person per day (World Bank, 2018), and one-fourth of the population goes to bed hungry, including 11 million who are severely malnourished (WFP, 21018).
2.7 The Impact of Infaq to the Economy
An individual's increased buying power because to Infaq raises consumer demand, which in turn raises aggregate demand (Sakti, 2007). In theory, a wealth redistribution may cause a temporary rise in prices; but, this would be offset by a rise in revenue producers. If the price hike is deemed to be public knowledge, it might attract new entrants to the market. To put it another way, the price will eventually go down. As can be observed in the case of Zakat distribution, a drop in prices will not always lead to a decrease in the amount of equilibrium output (Saripudin Djamil & Rodoni, 2020). According to the data in Figures 1 and 2, Infaq is clearly beneficial to economic growth.
Figure 01: Demand/Supply after Infaq Figure 02: Rectified Demand/Supply after Infaq Source: Researcher Study (2020) Source: Researcher Study (2020)
D1 D2
S2
S1
D3 D2
S2
S3
In the figure
D1 (Demand-1) is the demand of goods before Infaq and
S1 (Supply 1) is supply of food against demand in the market before Infaq.
D2 (Demand-2) is demand of goods immediate after Infaq and
S2 (Supply 2) is supply of food against demand in the market immediate after Infaq and D3 (Demand-3) is demand of goods after Infaq and
S3 (Supply 3) is rectified supply of food against demand in the market after Infaq.
3. Methods of the Study
The research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches using secondary sources. In this respect, the notion of 'Infaq' has been formed from the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Fiqh in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN) (SDG), definitions of ‘Poverty’ and ‘Hunger’ have been conceptualized. The qualitative data has been collected by semi-structured interviews from 8 experts relating to the Infaq, Poverty, Hunger and Employment. All the experts were doctorates working as professor in different universities in Bangladesh. To maintain, confidentiality, the researcher has not revealed any personal information regarding the experts, who participated in the semi-structured interviews.
The study, on the other hand, makes use of quantitative data obtained from the 2019-20 sessions of the World Bank and ADB database on employment, unemployment, and underemployment in the Industry, Agriculture, and service sectors of Bangladesh. Approximately 26 lacs totally jobless and 1.30 crore partly unemployed persons, in total, one and a half crore peoples’ job creation is concerned in the research assuming that present job creation rate and workable people rising rate remains constant. By implementing a 'One to One Employment' model with Infaq from one employed to one jobless, we may create jobs for the unemployed and increase farmers' buying power, allowing for increased agricultural, livestock, and forestry output, and ultimately eradicating poverty and hunger in Bangladesh.
4. Analysis and Findings of the Study
There are two parts to the presentation of the findings. The quantitative data from secondary sources has been provided first, and then the qualitative data relating to the difficulties of and suggestions for improving our suggested model have been investigated.
4.1 Quantitative Data
From the data of 2017 in the globe, there are 821 million people are chronically undernourished of which Asia accounted for almost two-thirds, 63 percent. Nearly 151 million children under five, 22 percent, are still stunted and 1 in 8 people is fat although 26 percent of employees are involved in agriculture and above 90 million children under five are dangerously underweight (UNDP, 2017). (UNDP, 2017). By ensuring that all people, and particularly children, have access to adequate and nutritious food throughout the year, the SDGs seek to abolish all kinds of hunger and malnutrition by 2030. This comprises encouraging sustainable agriculture, supporting small-scale farmers and equitable access to land, technologies and markets. It also needs international collaboration to assure investment in infrastructure and technology to boost agricultural output. Bangladesh is not on track to fulfill any of the 2025 objectives set at the World Health Assembly in 2012, according to the Global Nutrition Report published in 2014 (Hossain, 2018). At present in Bangladesh population living below the poverty line based on earning $ 1.90 per day is 21.8% and having purchasing power parity based on expanding capacity $ 1.90 per day is 14.8%. That means in 2020 Bangladesh, near to 3.60 (four) crore
people are poor including 2.50 crore people with extreme poverty (ADB-April 2020). Asian Development Bank also states that 14.7% of people i.e., about 2.50 crore people are undernourished and 30.8% of children under five are stunted (Elmer, 2019). It can also present that in Bangladesh the total employed people is 6 crores 80 lac which is about 42.28% of the total population in three sectors like Agriculture, Industry and service. Besides, the total number of unemployed people about 25 lacs and underemployed is 1.38 crore (WB, ADB 2020). The below figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the labor force, employment of Bangladesh, employment sectors in Bangladesh, and GPD contributions in sector wises.
Figure 03: Labor force percentage Source: World Bank July 2020
Figure 04: Employment of Bangladesh Source: WB Statistics (2020)
Population ages 15-64 in Bangladesh is reported at 67.14 % (2018), in total 10, 83, 27,307 of which female is 49.50% and male is 50.50%. There are three major sectors of economy.
.
Figure 05: Employment Sector of Bangladesh Source: WB, Statistica (2020)
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Total Population Labor force 100%
42.28%
0.00%
20.00%
40.00%
60.00%
80.00%
Employed Underemployed Unemployed 75.80%
20%
4.20%
38.58%
21.26%
40.16%
Agriculture Industry Service Sector
Figure 06: GDP contributory Sector of Bangladesh Source: World Bank (2019)
Figure 07: Agriculture subsector of Bangladesh World Bank. DATABD.CO, (2019)
The World Bank data states (see figure 7 above) that land area (sq. km) in Bangladesh is 1, 30,170 sq. Km (2018) of which forest area is at 10.96 % (2016) and Agricultural land is 91,942 sq. Km in (2018). Land used for permanent crops, land used for mowing or grazing, land used for market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow add up to the total area used for agriculture (defined by FAO) is 59.65 % (2016) hence the Barren land is 41%. Land under cereal production (hectares) in Bangladesh was reported at 12090129 hectors (Word Bank, 2017). In barren lands, crops can be cultivated. The service sector is the large sector at which large numbers of employees are engaged and the highest contributory to GDP of the country.
Overseas Employment and Migration is the largest wing at which 01 (One) crore people are engaged and have earned & 18.04 Billion in June 2020) (Bangladesh Bank). Other sectors are Banks and Financial Institutions, Insurance, Hospitals and Clinics, Educational and Skill Development Service, Services in the following categories: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Enabled Services; Outsourcing; Telecommunications; Tourism and Hospitality Management; Business Consulting; Amusement and Entertainment; Testing Laboratories; Infrastructure Development; Fueling Stations; Distribution Channels; Airline Service; Automobile Service; Technical and Vocational Educational Institutions; Television
13.10%
28.50%
53.50% Agriculture
Industry Service Sector
55%
14%
22%
9%
Crops Livestock Fisheries Forests
Commercials; etc. In the case of industry sector basically textile and Readymade Garments occupy the largest section where 64 lac employees are total engaged as an employee. In light of this issue, infaq-Sadaqa, or charity giving, may be a useful instrument for achieving the goal of optimum redeployment of resources by providing jobs with buying power, hence reducing poverty and hunger. This is made possible by the expanding nature of generous giving, which benefits the giver, the receiver, and society at large, and by the nature of Infaq, which has a multiplicative rising impact on the wealth of the donor, as detailed in Surah al-Baqarah (2:261, 265 and 276) (Awang, 2017). The 25000 millionaires of owning billion of Taka (Asian World News, 2018) can do Infaq to 36 million (21.8% of total) of the country’s poor population to make them employed and earned population. Again, forty million middle-income (Huang, 2019) group people which is 25% of the total population can contribute their excess wealth or income to unemployed poor and undernourished people. Besides from the figure presented here, it is seen that the top 40% population owns 62.80% of income and wealth. These rich people can do Infaq to first 40% population to be employed and nourished. Below figure 8 illustrates the value for income shared by the population.
Figure 08: The value for income shared by the population Source: www.indexmundi.com (2018)
In the context, bearing Infaq’s increasing theory described in the holy Quran (2:261), the study offers a model named ’Infaq One to One Employment Model’ presented in below figure 9.
8.70%
12.40%
16.10%
21.40%
41.40% Lowest 20% population own Income
2nd 20% population own income 3rd 20% polulation own Income 4th 20% population Own Income Top 20% populationown Income
Recording and Monitoring
Pay money as Infaq to make One person employed
Turned into
Will be New Donor
Figure 09: Infaq One to One Employment Model Source: Developed by the authors
The model function starts from the ‘Employed one’ segment and ends to this also and it will revolve as a circle over time. Information related to ‘Employed one’, ‘Unemployed one’ and
‘new employed one’ will be recorded at the monitoring authority. In the case of Govt supported project Govt local office like Upozilla Nirbahi Officer will be monitoring authority and in case of the non-govt project by local people appropriate authority will be here monitoring authority.
Here, Employed one is a wealthy person having assets excess of his demand and requirement.
These people whether employed or non-employed are named here Employed who will expend each and everything beyond their requirements (Baqara 2:219) to an unemployed poor person to be employed. In Bangladesh, the top 40% of people will pay wealth to the lowest 40% of people to be employed and nourished. One person of the upper 40% rich population group will strengthen another one of the 40% lowest income group poor population. Help will be continued until the underemployed or unemployed to be employed. New employment creation may be crop producer farmer cultivating 41% barren land, new fisherman, and owners of dairy, poultry, hatchery, nursery, forestry of the agricultural sector. In the service sector, new employment may be as a new migrant to foreign countries, freelancer, ICT expert, tourism, banker, insurance policyholder, transportation sector worker, Homeo doctor, accountant,
Monitoring authority (Local Govt/Non-Govt)
Agriculture Sector
1. As a self-dependent Farmer 2. As a self-dependent Fisherman 3. As an owner of
Dairy/poultry/Hatchery/Nursery 4. As an owner of
Horticulture/Sericulture/Other forestry
Industry/Manufacturing Sector
1. Small Business Owners 2. ICT Skilled executives 3. Skilled Worker in Industry 4. Investors in Industries 6. Shareholders of Companies 7. Partners of Companies
Service Sector
1. Professions (Engineers (Drs/Lawyers/Accountant)
2. Migrant 3. ICT employee
5. Skilled in Transportation 6. Skilled in Tourism sector 7. Efficient Bankers
Unemployed One (Relative Neighbor Friends of employed)
New Employed
lawyer, diploma engineers and textile sector specialist, tailors etc. In the industry sector, a new employee may be a small business owner, investor, shareholders, skilled worker and executives in Readymade Garments and textile sector. Within 1 to 3 years circle if the effort will continue, then all labor force will be engaged in work. Then no unemployment, no poverty and therefore no hunger will be held in Bangladesh.
4.2 Qualitative data
There will be some challenges in implementing the ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model, therefore, the researchers explored these challenges along with some recommendations to overcome those challenges. In this section, the study presents challenges and recommendations in implementing ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model’ based on 8 experts’ opinion.
4.2.1 Challenges in implementing ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model’
4.2.1.1 Lack of Interest
The implementation of the proposed ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model’ is easy but there remain some challenges. In this regard, Participant 1, Professor of Bangladeshi University argued that:
“If the model is executed by the top priority project of the Govt like ‘One House One Farm’ project, then it will be possible to execute properly and the visible result will be seen as the Govt instruction is the act for the citizen. But it is in doubt whether the Govt regard the model execution as a top priority. It is because many government employees could be reluctant to work on some new projects even if the projects have immense benefit for citizens.”
Mostly similar thoughts have been derived from Participant 3, who replied that:
“The government officials have also lack of knowledge regarding the Islamic terms while some of the officials in the Shariah Board or Islam related departments have lack of expertise to apply the model. Thus, I am not sure either they would be interested or not.”
The Participant 6 also outlined similar opinion that:
“Government officials would have lack of interest to implement it because they will have to work on something new that is not welcoming in Bangladesh and not even many other Islamic countries.”
All the other Participants have opined similarly that the lack of interest from the government could create difficulties to implement the proposed model devised in this research.
4.2.1.2 Lack of Practicing Muslim The Participant 2 has opined that:
“Despite the 90% population is of Muslim in the country, the practicing Muslims are not at so high a rate. Therefore, the donors’ Infaq understanding problem exists strongly here.”
Similarly, the Participant 3 has also outlined that:
“There are many Muslim people in Bangladesh but very few of them are practicing Muslims. Therefore, applying this model could be challenging.”
However, the Participant 8 opined different view as:
“If we can inform people regarding the benefits of the proposed model, the people regardless of their religious faith would be interested in implementing to overcome the poverty and hunger in Bangladesh.”
4.2.1.3 Complicated Social Structure
The Participant 1 has outlined that the complicated society with different culture can create huge difficult in implementing the proposed model. He has outlined that:
“The customs, taste, nature, values, norms, the attitude of the human being in the current society of Bangladesh, have not become benevolent to others yet irrespective of race, religion and color. So here, it will be a challenge to make the citizen prepared psychologically fit for the model execution.”
Similarly, the Participant 5 has also opined that:
“The country's people as a whole are not similar in nature, ideology and religion. So, it will be hard to make understand the country's people about the purpose process and result.”
All the other Participants have opined their concern regarding the complicated social structure of Bangladesh and its impact on implementation process of proposed model. Thus, this is a significant challenge to overcome.
4.2.1.4 Lack of Coordination
There is a potentiality of lack of coordination with different economic branches that could create also challenges in implementing Infaq One to One Employment Model in Bangladesh.
This is reflected from the opinion of all the Participants in this study. In this regard, the Participant 7 opined that:
“The model is needed to think at the macro level of the economy. But combination co- ordination among employed, unemployed, undernourished and nourished is difficult.”
5. Recommendations in Implementing ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model’
Based on the participants’ opinion in the semi-structured interviews, the following recommendations have been presented to overcome the challenges in implementing ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model’
i. In the upcoming 8th Five Year Plan for the year 2021-2025, the ‘Infaq One to One Employment Model’ execution should be set up as the top priority project of the Govt. like
‘One House One Farm’ project. In every Upazila, UNO will record, monitor and report about the performance to the Govt.
ii. The motivation functions should be done by the religious leader/Imam/Khatib of Mosque about the purpose, process, and output of the Infaq to others.
iii. To build up the customs, taste, nature, values, norms, attitude as benevolent to others irrespective of race, religion, and color, education, entertainment, and amusement media should bear that taste and psychology.
iv. Proper training should be given to LGED employees as well as NGOs for the effective implementation of the Infaq model
v. With the help of distinguished researchers, economists, professors and analysts a steering committee should be formed by the Government. In case of non-govt. endeavor, the society leaders will create that committee and the whole country is needed to be designed as welfare state psychology.
6. Concluding remarks
To have severe poverty issues and terrible hunger problems in the twenty-first century, a time endowed with the 4th industrial revolution 5G technology and the impending 6G technology, is a major sadness matter for Bangladesh. There are around two crore individuals in India who are jobless, underemployed, or hungry. Economic philanthropy known as Infaq may help people and children who have been stunted break the curse. Self-employment opportunities in Bangladesh's service and agricultural sectors might be generated by the Infaq of a person with a full-time job. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders in the fight against poverty may exploit the study's findings. Local government leadership, via a program known as "One to One Employment Model," may play an essential role in implementing the plan. By implementing the "one to one Employment" model with Infaq, in which one employed person provides work and income to one jobless person, unemployment may be reduced, farmers' incomes can be increased, and poverty and hunger can be eradicated in a very short amount of time in Bangladesh. It is also possible for academics and researchers to use the study's findings in their own investigations.
This study is confined to investigating the practice of 'Infaq,' or monetary charity given voluntarily to humans in order to appease AALAH Suhanahu Wa-ta'ala. It is possible to repay it or not. In case of failure, it will be given away. Money is given to those in need, including family, friends, neighbors, and strangers, regardless of their ethnicity or religion as part of the Infaq. Sadaqa (charity) that is not obligatory, such as Zakat, Ushor, and Osiah, will be the focus of this research. This includes Sadaqa (charity) that is done for one's own benefit, the benefit of others, and the benefit of the environment. All people will have jobs, food production will increase, and a sustainable food system may be established with solely Infaq contributions.
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