About Ceylon Baithulmal Fund

The world is full of inequities. Poverty is one of them.  Poverty among the Muslims of Sri Lanka, was found to be on a high note.  In order to rectify this situation to some extent.  Poverty alleviation was thought of as the main objective, by Marhoom Hon. H.S. Ismail, 1st Member of Parliament and 1st Muslim Speaker of Parliament  This prompted him to organize and commence a Fund known as the “Ceylon Baithulmal Fund”,  which was established on 29th March 1957.  This is a Non-Governmental Organization. 

It is governed by a Committee of Management, comprising Professionals, Businessmen who are elected annually, at the Annual General Meeting. 

Main purposes of the fund; inter-alia,

1. To reduce poverty  and to eradicate Beggary;
2. To Co-ordinate the distribution of Zakat,  Sadaqah and Donations;
3. To Manage the Fund Distribution as per the Islamic Shariah;
4. To enhance the original project such as  (a) Relief of Debt; (b) Marriage Assistance; and (c) Orphan Welfare;
5. To help persons in Cottage Industry; - Home based Economic Activities, especially Widows;
6. To improve the status of the Poor and Needy, in their basic amenities in life;
7. To help needy Students in the Educational field;(i.e. A/L Students & University undergraduates);
8. To help in maintenance of  Mosques in the Island, when in need;
9. To help in purchasing of medicines;
10. To grant Interest Free Loans (Qardh Hassana).

The CBF obtained Approved Charity status under  the Inland Revenue Ordinance in 1960; The CBF was Incorporated by an Act of Parliament, No. 09 of 1976. 

In order to streamline the workload of Baithulmal activities,  various Sub-Committees are appointed for specialized attention.

The Accounts of the CBF are audited by a Firm of reputed Chartered Accountants, which is presented by the Hony. Treasurer, at the Annual General Meeting, a practice that has been consistently done for the past 50 years.