Baznas Clarifies Rp 22 Billion Palestinian Scholarship, Assures Domestic Zakat Funds Remain Secure

The Chairman of the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI, Sodiq Mudjahid, has clarified that the distribution of scholarship aid worth Rp 22 billion for Palestinian students consists purely of funds entrusted by the generosity of the Indonesian people for humanitarian purposes. He stressed that the allocation does not disrupt or reduce the zakat funds designated for domestic needs. Sodiq made the statement to address public discussion regarding the large value of the educational aid for Palestine. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to explain a little about Palestine, because last night there was quite a stir. Baznas has a lot of money, to the point of giving Palestine scholarships worth Rp 22 billion,” Sodiq told participants at the VIII Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Congress at Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta, on Saturday (25/7/2026). Sodiq explained that the high amount of aid is directly proportional to the immense concern of the Indonesian people for the humanitarian crisis afflicting the Palestinian nation. To date, the accumulation of public donations specifically for Palestine collected through Baznas has reached approximately Rp 200 billion. “As of today, people are still entrusting funds for Palestine, totalling around Rp 200 billion. This is a form of the Indonesian people’s concern for Palestine. So, what we handed over yesterday does not interfere with funds for domestic purposes. In fact, the domestic funds may not be as large as the Palestinian funds,” he said. Furthermore, Sodiq conveyed that the scholarship programme is part of a series of manifestations of the Indonesian nation’s concern, which has been reported to the President through the Minister of State Secretary. The scholarship programme was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MUI and Baznas RI at the opening of the VIII KUII. MUI Chairman KH Anwar Iskandar and Baznas Chairman Sodik Mudjahid signed the agreement directly. MUI Vice Chairman KH M Cholil Nafis emphasised that this scholarship programme is not merely logistical aid, but a strategic step to strengthen cultural diplomacy and nurture future Palestinian leaders. “We are helping the sons and daughters of Palestine who will become future leaders by providing them with scholarships in Indonesia. Through their presence on campuses across the country, a positive exchange of ideas occurs. It is hoped they will absorb the values of peace, diversity, and Indonesian nationhood to build Palestine in the future,” said Kiai Cholil. The signing of the Rp 22 billion cooperation agreement, managed productively with MUI, was witnessed by congress participants, state institution leaders, and national figures including the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani, Presidential Chief of Staff General (Ret.) Dudung Abdurrahman, Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council Tamsil Linrung, and Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Arief Satria. Also in attendance were ambassadors from friendly nations, including the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulfattah AK Al-Sattari, as well as diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia, and Yemen.