{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1617580,
        "msgid": "baznas-chief-prabowo-reminds-that-zakat-cannot-be-used-for-free-nutritious-meal-programme-1773662006",
        "date": "2026-03-16 18:08:24",
        "title": "Baznas Chief: Prabowo Reminds That Zakat Cannot Be Used for Free Nutritious Meal Programme",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "berita",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The head of Indonesia's National Zakat Agency (Baznas), Sodik Mudjahid, has revealed that President Prabowo Subianto instructed him that zakat funds cannot be used for the government's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, as such spending must respect Islamic principles regarding eligible recipients. The president has mandated Baznas to assist in poverty alleviation and welfare improvement whilst maintaining zakat's religious requirements, positioning the agency as a strategic instrument for reducing poverty and strengthening social solidarity.",
        "content": "<p>The head of Indonesia\u2019s National Zakat Agency (Baznas), Sodik\nMudjahid, has stated that President Prabowo Subianto reminded him that\nzakat funds cannot be allocated to the Free Nutritious Meal Programme\n(MBG).<\/p>\n<p>Sodik disclosed this during a discussion titled \u201cZakat Strengthening\nIndonesia\u201d in Jakarta on Monday, 16 May 2026, revealing that he received\nspecific instructions from the President shortly after being appointed\nas Baznas Chief.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSodik, help the government in eradicating poverty, help the\ngovernment in improving people\u2019s welfare. But I know that zakat has its\nasnaf (eligible recipients),\u201d Sodik quoted the President as saying.<\/p>\n<p>Sodik continued that Prabowo wanted Baznas to contribute to improving\npublic welfare through its various programmes, but not the MBG programme\nbecause there are individuals who do not fall within the categories of\neligible zakat recipients under Islamic law.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that the Head of State is strongly committed to enhancing\npublic welfare, including through the instrument of zakat, infak, and\nsedekah (charitable giving). \u201cI am not merely observing and listening,\nbut truly experiencing his commitment to ordinary citizens and his\ncommitment to protecting state assets for our people,\u201d said Sodik\nMudjahid.<\/p>\n<p>In the same discussion, Acting Deputy IV of the Government\nCommunications Agency (Bakom), Adita Irawati, stated that zakat plays a\nstrategic role in supporting the government\u2019s efforts to reduce poverty\nwhilst enhancing public welfare.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cZakat is indeed an obligation for Muslims, but do not forget that\nzakat can also be an important instrument in building social justice and\nstrengthening national solidarity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Adita added that zakat is not only an obligation for Muslims but can\nalso serve as an important instrument in building social justice and\nstrengthening national solidarity. \u201cIn this context, what the National\nZakat Agency (Baznas) is doing has a very strategic role in supporting\nthe achievement of these objectives,\u201d said Adita Irawati.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/baznas-chief-prabowo-reminds-that-zakat-cannot-be-used-for-free-nutritious-meal-programme-1773662006",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}