Indonesia's Baznas distributes 650 iftar packages in Jakarta

The meals were delivered to orphanages and houses of worship in the capital as part of a broader Ramadan outreach programme targeting vulnerable communities, said Saidah Sakwan, head of Baznas’ distribution and utilisation division, in a statement released on Friday.

“Ramadan is a month of sharing. Through this initiative, we want to ensure that orphans, Islamic school students and mosque congregants can break their fast with proper meals in a joyful atmosphere,” she said.

Sakwan said the iftar programme forms part of Baznas’ mandate to distribute donations from almsgivers in ways that generate immediate, visible benefits, particularly for low-income households and educational institutions.

She added that the programme is intended to ease financial pressures on beneficiaries during the fasting month, when food expenses often rise as families prepare daily meals to break the fast.

The initiative was welcomed by recipient organisations. Rusdiyanti, chair of the Rasulullah Orphan Foundation, thanked the state-backed philanthropic body for its consistent Ramadan support.

“These meals are meaningful assistance. They help spare our children from having to purchase food for iftar,” she said, offering prayers for the donors.

Imad, head of the Al Qalam Islamic Boarding School, said the assistance was critical for institutions that operate around the clock and rely on steady food supplies.

“This support is very important for us, especially because our boarding school requires meals for students throughout the day,” he said.

Rafi, a 17-year-old student who received a package, expressed gratitude and wished blessings upon contributors.

Baznas, which manages Islamic alms and charitable contributions nationwide, typically steps up food distribution and social aid during Ramadan, when charitable giving rises and demand for assistance increases across urban communities.