Mayor: Zakat potential in Tangerang city reaches Rp2.2 trillion

Tangerang — Tangerang mayor Sachrudin has stated that the zakat potential in the city reaches approximately Rp2.2 trillion and could become a major force in supporting efforts to improve public welfare if managed optimally.

“Zakat is a financial instrument of the community with a great purpose: helping to alleviate poverty and strengthen public welfare,” said the mayor whilst attending the Gebyar Zakat Maal event in Tangerang on Friday.

He stated that if this potential can be optimised, zakat could become a very strong economic safety net for the community.

“Zakat plays an important role in strengthening care and social solidarity among the public. Through zakat, social bonds between citizens can be strengthened, especially between those with surplus resources and those in need,” he said.

According to him, zakat has not only a religious dimension as an obligation for Muslims, but also serves a major social function in helping to ease the burden of those in need.

“Through zakat, a sense of mutual care and affection will be built; this is what makes zakat an important instrument in strengthening social solidarity within the community,” he said.

Sachrudin also emphasised that zakat distribution should continue to be developed through various programmes that are not only temporary assistance, but also capable of enhancing public self-reliance.

He therefore urged the National Zakat Board (Baznas) of Tangerang city to continue optimising economic empowerment programmes for zakat recipients so they can improve their living standards and welfare.

Meanwhile, the National Zakat Board (Baznas) of Tangerang city, Banten, is targeting Rp6.9 billion in zakat collections during Ramadhan from zakat mal, infaq and corporate social responsibility funds.

Baznas chairman of Tangerang city Aslie Elhusyairy stated that to meet this target, the organisation is opening service points at various high-traffic locations and distributing zakat fitrah coupons to be distributed across all areas.

“We have prepared a number of strategic measures to optimise zakat collections during this year’s Ramadhan through cooperation with the Tangerang city government,” he said.