Baznas RI sends 18 preachers to Buru Island to strengthen mualaf guidance

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI, together with the Pondok Pesantren Modern Dzikir Al Fath in Sukabumi, West Java, has deployed 18 preachers to Buru Island, Maluku, under the Ustad Garis Depan (UGD) VIII programme to strengthen the guidance and support of new converts (mualaf).

Wakil Ketua Baznas RI Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi stated that the programme demonstrates Baznas’s commitment to supporting the strengthening of faith and the development of mualaf communities, particularly in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) regions.

‘Baznas acts as a bridge connecting muzaki with mustahik. One of the groups we focus on is mualaf and fisabilillah. Therefore, this dakwah partnership programme is an important part of delivering the benefits of zakat to communities in need of religious guidance,’ he said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Zainut explained that the collaboration between Baznas RI and Ponpes Al Fath represents a complementary synergy aimed at expanding the reach of Islamic dakwah.

Zainut stressed that the preachers in the field must prioritise the bil hikmah method of dakwah, an approach carried out with wisdom, good counsel, and respectful dialogue.

‘Dakwah is not conducted by judging or blaming. The task of the dai is to embrace, guide, and accompany the community with wisdom so that they increasingly understand and love the teachings of Islam,’ he said.

Zainut also emphasised the importance of understanding the conditions of the target communities. He noted that the approach to ordinary people and mualaf must be carried out gradually and with full empathy.

Through this programme, Baznas RI and Ponpes Al Fath hope to improve the quality of mualaf guidance on Buru Island through various educational activities, training, and sustainable mentoring.

In addition to strengthening the faith of mualaf, the programme is also expected to reinforce ukhuwah islamiah and serve as an example of dakwah collaboration for various institutions across Indonesia.