HTS imposes zakat on farmers before harvest
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – On Saturday, the Zakat Authority of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) imposed zakat (obligatory payment in Islam) on farmers in HTS-held areas in Idlib, northwest Syria, despite that farmers have not yet started harvesting their lands.
A source from the HTS’ Zakat Chamber told North Press, “The imposition of zakat came suddenly because of HTS’ need for money.”
He added that zakat deducts 2.5 percent of the estimated market value of the crops, without taking into account harvest costs, labor costs, and potential losses in the event of fire. In addition, the production’s gains may be less than the estimates.
“The HTS owns about 50 percent of the farmlands in Idlib, part of which it seized as spoils of war and the other part it bought under the names of civilian dealers, but in reality it belongs to the HTS,” the source said.