Baznas Partners with Coach Indra Sjafri to Expand Zakat Literacy Among Youth
The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) is intensifying its efforts to collect and distribute zakat funds across all levels of society, including athletes, as part of a broader community empowerment and national welfare programme. This was conveyed by Baznas Chairman Sodik Mudjahid during a meeting with Indonesian National Team Coach Indra Sjafri at the Baznas headquarters in Jakarta, where they discussed strengthening zakat literacy and the role of the younger generation in shaping the nation’s future, including through sports.
“Baznas has programmes to raise funds and then distribute them to all groups, including football athletes. Likewise, fundraising targets all layers of society, including football figures,” said Sodik Mudjahid. He added that the presence of a national figure like Coach Indra Sjafri is crucial for discussing the future of the nation, the younger generation, football, character building, and sharing with the nation through Baznas.
According to Sodik, collaboration with sports figures is a vital part of expanding zakat education to the public, especially the youth who represent the nation’s future hope.
Indra Sjafri, the Indonesian National Team Coach, stressed the importance of Muslim awareness in fulfilling zakat according to religious provisions. He shared his personal experience of the benefits of performing this obligation. “Zakat has religious rules. Those who are able to pay zakat are regulated on how much they should give. I am also one of those who fulfil this obligation,” Indra stated.
He urged the public to be conscious of zakat, adding, “Do not think that by paying zakat, your wealth decreases. By Allah’s will, what I have experienced is that zakat actually increases one’s sustenance. So, as a sports figure, I invite friends who may have forgotten or have not yet done so to fulfil these obligations.” He added that the world of sports can be an effective platform for instilling social awareness values, including zakat, in the younger generation through continuous character and spiritual development.
Baznas hopes that this synergy with public figures like Indra Sjafri will further boost public awareness, particularly among the youth, to make zakat a part of their lifestyle and a tangible contribution to building the welfare of the community.