The Government of Afghanistan and local communities have limited resources to support sportsmen and sportswomen in remote areas of the country, such as the northern province of Samangan. To fill this void, the Samangan Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative (IIFC) recently donated balls, nets, and uniforms to three volleyball teams. IIFCs are community-based, member-owned institutions that provide a range of Islam-compliant financial services to their members. The contribution was funded through IIFC profits and constitutes the IIFC’s zakat, (charitable contribution) to its surrounding community in keeping with Islamic values.
Community outreach, such as this recent support to the volleyball teams, further strengthens the relationship between the communities and the IIFCs, leading to the long-term sustainability of IIFC financial services. Members of the volleyball teams are now registered with the IIFCs and have access to a range of financial services in their province. Twenty-eight IIFCs and points of service are currently operating in 11 provinces, reaching over 37,000 members.