{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1801803,
        "msgid": "zakat-forum-direct-charity-risks-perpetuating-poverty-1781351468",
        "date": "2026-06-13 17:45:48",
        "title": "Zakat Forum: Direct Charity Risks Perpetuating Poverty",
        "author": "Muhammad Hafil",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Indonesian Zakat Forum warns that the public's preference for direct cash handouts, as revealed by a recent survey, risks perpetuating poverty rather than solving it. The organisation stresses that channelling funds through formal zakat institutions enables transformative empowerment programmes that individual giving cannot achieve. It calls for improved public literacy and trust in zakat bodies to harness the nation's high philanthropic potential.",
        "content": "<p>The Chairman of the Zulpakat Forum (FOZ), Wildhan Dewayana, believes\nthat the public tendency to distribute alms in cash or directly to\nrecipients should not be viewed solely through the lens of the nominal\namount given. According to him, the distribution of religious social\nfunds through zakat institutions carries a much larger mission: to\ncreate transformation and eradicate poverty.<\/p>\n<p>Wildhan stated that the results of the 2026 National ZISWAF Survey\nconducted by Indikator Politik Indonesia, which shows that the majority\nof the public prefers direct almsgiving, should serve as a basis for\nevaluation for stakeholders in the Islamic philanthropy sector.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is most important is how we respond. The public possesses a\nhigh level of generosity, and there is great potential there. It is\npossible that the level of literacy and education regarding zakat,\ninfaq, and sadaqah still needs to be increased,\u201d Wildhan said when met\nin Jakarta on Friday (12\/6\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>The Indikator Politik Indonesia survey previously found that 95.9 per\ncent of Indonesian Muslims who give infaq or sadaqah in the form of\nmoney do not use digital platforms. The majority still choose to\ndistribute it directly.<\/p>\n<p>According to Wildhan, this phenomenon could be caused by a low public\nunderstanding of the roles and programmes implemented by zakat\ninstitutions. Factors regarding trust in these institutions are also\nbelieved to influence public choices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is possible that the public is not yet aware of the existence of\nzakat institutions, or they are aware but do not yet understand the\nprogrammes being run. It could also relate to the level of trust,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, Wildhan emphasised that distributing zakat, infaq, and\nsadaqah through zakat institutions enables the realisation of\nempowerment missions that are difficult to achieve individually.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that zakat is not merely about the amount of money provided,\nbut about the impact generated on the lives of the mustahik, or the\nbeneficiaries.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/zakat-forum-direct-charity-risks-perpetuating-poverty-1781351468",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}