Baznas and Humanitarian Forum Indonesia Strengthen Disaster Mitigation Based in Places of Worship
The National Zakat Collection Agency (Baznas) of the Republic of Indonesia, together with the Humanitarian Forum Indonesia (HFI) family, has officially agreed to strengthen humanitarian collaboration focused on disaster mitigation. This strategic initiative is marked by a Joint Declaration of Commitment on Disaster Preparedness Based in Places of Worship, held during the evening meal breaking ceremony at the Baznas RI Office in Jakarta.
Rizaludin Kurniawan, Head of Collection at Baznas RI, described this initiative as an important breakthrough for the humanitarian sector, particularly in positioning places of worship as frontline guardians in crisis response. “This is an extraordinary initiative and aligns with Baznas’s attention, especially regarding disaster preparedness planning,” Rizaludin explained on Tuesday (3 March).
He emphasised that disaster issues are closely linked to Baznas’s mission. The organisation has consistently viewed disaster response as part of its responsibility to uphold Maqashid Sharia, particularly in the environmental aspect (Hifzhun Bi’ah).
“On the issue of disasters, Baznas includes this because we in zakat have added an additional Maqashid Sharia objective, namely Hifzhun Bi’ah (environmental protection). Disasters are closely related to the environment, so Deputy I at Baznas created Green Zakat to strengthen our commitment to disaster awareness,” he stated.
Rizaludin further assured that every zakat fund managed by Baznas will be distributed transparently to the eight eligible categories (asnaf), including those affected by disasters. He affirmed Baznas’s commitment not only to respond when disasters occur, but also to take preventive and educational measures.
Romi Ardiansyah, General Chair of the Humanitarian Forum Indonesia (HFI), stressed that strengthening multi-faith harmony through the “Disaster Preparedness Based in Places of Worship” programme represents the realisation of one of the main pillars in the Strategic Plan (Renstra) 2026-2030 that has been approved.
This initiative is a concrete step to convert the spirit of inter-religious community bonds into tangible action in managing humanitarian issues in Indonesia collaboratively. “Our focus is how to strengthen multi-faith community bonds by presenting disaster-resilient places of worship. Hopefully this will run well so that as a nation with strong faith and multi-faith values, we can manage disaster and humanitarian issues together,” he said.
Currently, working with the government and Islamic, Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian religious institutions, regulations for Disaster-Resilient Places of Worship are being developed. The regulations are expected to ensure that places of worship, particularly in disaster-prone areas, become disaster-resilient.
The event was attended by various leaders of humanitarian organisations, HFI members and partners from the government and humanitarian institutions in Indonesia. The signing of the Joint Commitment on Disaster Preparedness Based in Places of Worship symbolises the readiness of places of worship throughout Indonesia to face potential disasters. Through this collaboration, it is hoped that places of worship can function optimally as safe shelters and inclusive centres for coordinating humanitarian assistance.
The Humanitarian Forum Indonesia is a religion-based humanitarian forum in Indonesia aimed at promoting humanitarian values, norms and principles, advocacy, platform development, communication and information sharing, as well as facilitating humanitarian objectives.
Currently, HFI has 20 member organisations, including: Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Centre (MDMC), Dompet Dhuafa, Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), Caritas Indonesia (KARINA), Community Empowerment Development Association (PPKM), Human Initiative, Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia (HFHI), Disaster Risk Reduction Bureau of the Fellowship of Indonesian Churches (PRB-PGI), Rebana Indonesia, Rumah Zakat (RZ), the Nahdlatul Ulama Disaster Mitigation and Climate Change Agency (LPBI NU), BAZNAS Emergency Response (BTB), ADRA Indonesia, Asian Muslim Charity Foundation (Yayasan Muslim Asia), Indonesian Muslim Humanitarian Foundation, Nurul Hayat DT Peduli and World Harvest Indonesia.
Noor Achmad, Chair of Baznas RI, stated that this year’s distribution of zakat al-fitr is targeted to reach approximately 300,000 beneficiaries. Ramadan serves as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity among Muslims whilst bringing happiness to those facing difficult circumstances.