Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Can Zakat be given to an Islamic institution of higher learning in general, in order to cover expenses related to student accommodations, teachers salaries, and general maintenance of the facility. I was hoping to send the money to the Madrasa headmaster so he could distribute it to cover the above mentioned expenses this traditional madrasa incurs in order to sustain its operations as it is located in a poor region, and is short of money.
Walaikum assalam,
You could give zakat to them if you specified that it is zakat and must only be spent on the needy. If you are reasonably sure that they would carry out your request, then it would be fine to send them your zakat funds; and if not, then you cannot
Wassalam,
Faraz.