Alms must be managed professionally: Habibie<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie on Thursday called for
\nmore transparent and professional management of zakat (obligatory
\nalms for Muslims) as well as infaq and shodaqoh (voluntary alms)
\nin a bid to better fulfill their purpose of helping the needy.<\/p>\n
The President said Muslims should be encouraged to meet their
\nobligation given how any small amount of money represents
\nsignificant assistance for the poor, especially since they were
\nthe most affected by the ongoing economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Donors also have the right to know how the funds are
\ndistributed to the people, he noted.<\/p>\n
\"We are living in the era of transparency, where everybody
\ndemands accountable and open management of all matters of public
\ninterest,\" Habibie said when opening the three-day workshop of
\nalms managing institutions (BAZIS).<\/p>\n
The President praised the employees of private companies and
\nstate-owned firms who voluntarily fulfill their obligations and
\ngive alms through their employers.<\/p>\n
The funds collected from alms donations also play the role of
\na social safety net to help people who are suffering most from
\nthe severe economic trouble, he said.<\/p>\n
\"This is very beneficial in empowering ordinary people, so
\nthey can be freed from poverty and backwardness,\" Habibie
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
In his report to the President, Minister of Religious Affairs
\nMalik Fadjar said the management of alms lacks a legal base,
\nalthough Muslims had traditionally practiced the charity from an
\nearly point in their religion's history.<\/p>\n
\"The legal foundation for alms management as set by the
\ngovernment, in this case the Ministry of Home Affairs and
\nMinistry of Religious Affairs, is only in the form of a joint-
\ndecree issued by the two ministers in 1991,\" the minister pointed
\nout.<\/p>\n
Parni Hadi, the advisor to the workshop, said the meeting
\nwould discuss the legal aspects of the collection of such funds
\nand the standardization of their management.<\/p>\n
Many Muslims have not carried out their obligations because
\nthey do not know how to channel the money or because they are not
\nsure whether it will be properly used, Parni said.<\/p>\n
\"From our observation, many of our brothers... have yet to
\nobserve their obligations of paying zakat in line with the
\ncommand of Islam,\" said Parni, who is also the general manager of
\nthe Antara news agency. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alms-must-be-managed-professionally-habibie-1447893297",
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