ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF WATER AND SANITATION THROUGH ISLAMIC MODELS OF ZAKAT AND WAQF: A CASE STUDY OF GOMBE STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The major aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness and significant role played by Zakat and Waqf fund for the access to clean water and proper sanitation as well as minimizing the practice of open defecation through accelerating implementation of the Islamic teachings on sanitation and charity program across the selected communities in Gombe State Nigeria. The study employed a qualitative method that involved interview with pertinent organizations and experts as well as reviewing relevant literature. The key Findings of this research revealed that, the benefitted communities who received the internal and external support programs through the high commitment of concern Muslim citizens lead to more improvement in planning, coordinating, collecting, financing, monitoring and supervising several projects of access to clean water and environmental sanitation. It is also revealed that the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign suggested was accepted in the communities for greater increase in household toilet coverage. This study can be useful, to any concern community, schools, markets and places of worship as they are in need of clean water and proper sanitation. It is recommended that; religious and community leaders need to double their commitment for regular and proper awareness on the sharia guidelines on human health and environmental protection.