Bilal Bhat
Srinagar 22 March 2025– In the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, a scandal of deep religious and ethical proportions has erupted in Kashmir. A growing number of self-styled journalists and social media influencers are being accused of misusing Zakat and donation funds collected in the name of helping the poor. Under the guise of humanitarian appeals, many of these individuals are allegedly siphoning off massive commissions—up to 30%—from money meant for destitute families and critical patients. What was supposed to be an act of worship and mercy has, according to several sources, been turned into a business of exploitation and deceit.
Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul-Islam, issued a powerful and unequivocal condemnation, calling the practice completely against Islamic teachings. “A journalist or media influencer cannot take a single rupee from Zakat money. It is absolutely Haraam. Only a verified charitable organization may use a very meagre amount for administration, and even that must be justified. This is not just against Islam, it is against Kashmiri ethics. It must be investigated by agencies,” the Grand Mufti declared. His words have sent shockwaves through a region already weary of trust being eroded by profiteering in the name of piety.
Religious activist Umar Mir told Awami Reporter that a network of self-styled journalists has been identified and may soon face legal action. “We are ready to file cases against these fraudsters. We are demanding a proper audit of the account numbers being used to collect donations. This is not charity—it is theft of the most sacred kind. They exploit the pain of the needy and pocket money meant for their survival.” The activist added that a few of these individuals run frequent high-profile campaigns on social media, collect lakhs of rupees, and then deduct their personal cut without any transparency.
The journalistic community itself has started to speak out. A respected journalist, requesting anonymity, said, “These influencers have completely damaged the public’s trust in our profession. People are beginning to see journalists not as voices of the people but as profiteers. They charge 20 to 30% from the very destitute they claim to help. If ₹50 lakh is raised for a sick patient, they walk away with ₹10 lakh as their cut. Is this charity or organized fraud? The Crime Branch, CID, and DGP must take this up and investigate these individuals thoroughly. These funds could even be diverted for terror or laundering unless properly monitored.”
Awami Reporter’s independent research has uncovered multiple social media donation drives run through personal bank accounts, many without any financial disclosures, receipts, or reports about where the money went. In several cases, the same influencers ran back-to-back campaigns with only vague “updates,” leaving donors and recipients in the dark. One such campaign raised over ₹35 lakh within days—but the beneficiary’s name was never revealed, and no medical documentation was shared publicly.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned, “Whoever we appoint to collect Zakat, and he conceals even a needle from it, it is Ghulul (embezzlement) and will face it on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih Muslim). The Quran declares in no uncertain terms, “Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188). These timeless warnings have been trampled upon by those exploiting the most vulnerable in society under the shield of piety and press badges.
As Kashmir observes the most sacred nights of Ramadan, this scandal has shaken the moral conscience of the Valley. Religious leaders, scholars, journalists, and civil society are calling for swift legal and spiritual accountability. Zakat is not a fundraising tool—it is a sacred duty. To manipulate it for personal gain is not only a sin but a betrayal of the soul of Kashmir’s collective faith. The community now looks to law enforcement, religious authorities, and the media to rise above silence and hold every fraud accountable—no matter how influential they are online. This is no longer just a story of corruption. This is a crime against the spirit of Islam.
