Baznas RI and ICMI to Launch Zakat-Based Environmental Empowerment Programmes
The National Board of Zakat (Baznas) RI and the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) are exploring cooperation on various strategic programmes, ranging from environmental innovation to research based on zakat, infaq, and alms (ZIS).
In a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, the Chairman of Baznas RI, Sodik Mudjahid, stated that there are 13 planned collaborations. These include the implementation of clean water supply technology and waste processing developed by ICMI scientists, economic empowerment for the community, joint research regarding zakat management, and community empowerment programmes.
“We are also opening opportunities for synergy in the use of waste processing technology as well as direct assistance to waste pickers alongside ICMI,” said Sodik.
He emphasised Baznas RI’s readiness to support ICMI programmes that directly relate to the empowerment of mustahik (zakat recipients), in alignment with Baznas RI’s 13 priority programmes.
Sodik added that other collaborative opportunities include clean water supply programmes, waste processing based on technology from ICMI scientists, and the strengthening of business capital based in mosques and Mualaf Centres, which are under the guidance of ICMI.
He noted that opportunities for collaboration exist within existing programmes such as Baznas Poverty Alert, Baznas Disaster Response, Baznas Scholar Scholarships, Baznas Food Barn, Baznas Livestock Station, and Rumah Terang Baznas (for areas without electricity access), all of which are options for implementation by both parties.
The Vice Chairman of ICMI for Science, Technology, Agromaritime, and Environment, Mohammad Jafar Hafith, welcomed and appreciated the plan for cooperation focusing on real programme collaboration and the planned signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
“Alhamdulillah, with this planned MoU, our relationship with Baznas through these programmes will improve. All the programmes mentioned are available within ICMI, so we just need to synergise them,” said Jafar.