Unnatural deaths during Zakat distribution.

ABSTRACT

Zakat is an islamic religious directive to wealthy Muslims to distribute 2.5% of their total annual saving to the poor. Before Eid-ul-Fitr Zakat is distributed to share happiness and joy with the poor. Deaths due to stampede in uncontrolled crowds of poor during Zakat distribution made it a point of study. In this tragic accident during Zakat distribution on 26.4.91 at a Biri (cigarette) factory (10 k.m. away from the port city of Chittagong), the total number of deaths were 32, out of which 27 (84.37%) persons died of Traumatic Asphyxia and 5 (15.63%) from head injury and more than 100 were injured, mostly elderly female and children. The young and elderly male escaped.