Baznas and Bima Regency Government Join Forces to Develop Locally Distinctive Zakat Programmes

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Zakat Agency (Baznas RI) and the Bima Regency Government in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) are seeking to align zakat programmes with community economic empowerment by exploring the area’s leading economic potential, from agriculture to livestock.

Syarifuddin, head of research, development, planning and innovation at Baznas RI and the agency’s regional coordinator for NTB, said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday that Bima Regency should develop innovative zakat programmes with distinctive features reflecting its local potential.

“Baznas Bima should be able to create innovative programmes that distinguish it from Baznas offices in other regencies,” Syarifuddin said.

He said identifying local strengths was important to ensure zakat distribution and utilisation programmes were better targeted, while also setting them apart from initiatives elsewhere. Such success could inspire Bima Regency to develop zakat-based economic empowerment programmes.

“Local programme innovations can be aligned with Baznas RI’s 13 priority programmes, but they must also refer to the priorities in the regency’s regional medium-term development plan (RPJMD), so that Baznas programmes genuinely address local needs,” Syarifuddin said.

He said the Bima Regency Government was ready to identify and develop the area’s strengths to support community economic empowerment.

Ady cited traditional woven-fabric crafts, livestock and agriculture as sectors with development potential. Key commodities such as shallots, maize and cattle could become part of zakat-funded community empowerment programmes, he said.