ZAKAT CAN HELP EMPOWER PEOPLE AND ERADICATE POVERTY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 6 (Antara) - The end of the fasting month of Ramadan is a joyous time for the poor because they get 'zakat' from other Muslims.          Muslims are required to give alms, also known as zakat fitrah, to the poor at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. At other times of the year, Muslims are required to give 'zakat mal' from their income.          Since 90 percent of Indonesia's population, which is approximately 240 million, are Muslims, alms have the potential to eradicate poverty. In fact, Indonesia can collect close to 217 trillion alms every year. Sadly, only one percent of this amount is collected on a yearly basis. Despite such low figures, the National Islamic Charity Board (Baznas) has been able to increase its zakat collection every year.          "Last year, Baznas managed to collect Rp2.7 trillion, an increase by 27 percent compared to 2011," said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, after a meeting with the executives of Baznas recently.          Based on research conducted by Baznas, the Bogor-based Institute of Agriculture (IPB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Indonesia should be able to collect Rp217 trillion in the form of zakat this year.          According to Didin Hafidhuddin, Chairman of Baznas, his charity board was only able to collect Rp2.73 trillion last year. This year, it has increased its target to Rp3 trillion.          President Yudhoyono expressed hope that the alms programme of Baznas would help eradicate poverty and empower poor people.          "I support Baznas' proposal to make Ramadan 27 a national alms day. So, please give alms to empower poor people," the president wrote on his Twitter account on Tuesday.          The head of state expressed hope that Baznas would be able to collect more funds to boost the country's development and empower the poor. On August 5, the president visited the Baznas office to discuss the development of an online system to connect all the branches across the country.          Earlier, during a cabinet plenary meeting, the president promised to discuss with the executives of Baznas ways to increase the collection of alms.          "If the collection of alms is managed well, there is a possibility for the system to grow and develop," the president said.          "We are looking at reducing poverty on a large scale," noted Didin Hafidhuddin, General Chairman of Baznas.          He added that Baznas is working closely with other stakeholders to develop the alms collection system to eradicate poverty.  "There is an increase in the number of middle and upper class people, who are required to give alms. If we are able to manage this system in a transparent and effective manner, we will be able to reach great heights," he said.          Didin Hafidhuddin believes that there is a need for cooperation between the government and the public to increase alms and reach a target of Rp10 trillion.          President Yudhoyono has urged provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors to conduct dialogue sessions with local chapters of Baznas to increase cooperation between the government and Baznas.          "We are now seeking a new formula to combine tax and alms collection and bring together tax and alms payers," he said.          President Yudhoyono believes that through yearly auditing and proper planning, alms can be distributed in an effective manner, reaching out to all poor people. Provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors have to work closely with local Baznas board members so that funds can reach the right people.          "If zakat is provided in the form of cash, the recipient can use the money to purchase cigarettes and handphones," said Dr Abd Salam Nawawi, a legal Islamic business expert.          Abd Salam, who is a lecturer at the Sharia Faculty of Sunan Ampel State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN), claims that zakat should reach the right people.          He said people who deserve zakat are 'fakir' (very poor people), 'miskin' (people with no income), 'riqab' (servants), 'gharim' (debtors), 'mualaf' (non-Muslims who have converted to Islam), 'fisabilillah' (religious fighters), 'Ibnu Sabil' (travellers), and 'amil' (alms committee/collectors).          Therefore, he added that zakat can be given to poor children in the form of education. In addition, funds can be given to small traders. Zakat can be given to poor people in any form, as long as the recipients are fakir and miskin.          According to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the collection and distribution of zakat should be managed well. "The distribution of alms should not create chaos," said Ma'ruf Amin, Chairman of MUI.          He said alms should be distributed through an alms institution.          According to Teten Kustiawan, Executive Director of Baznas, many people give alms to poor people directly, instead of going through an alms institution. By doing so, people are not empowering the poor.          Teten Kustiawan has urged people to give zakat to alms institutions or bodies which collect zakat. "Baznas urges alms payers to pay their zakat through amil or collectors, which is in accordance with the sharia," Teten said on Sunday.***4*** (T.A014/INE/B003)