Minister of Villages and Head of BAZNAS Strengthen Synergy to Boost Zakat Literacy in Villages

The Minister of Villages and Development of Underdeveloped Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, met with the Head of the National Zakat Amil Board (BAZNAS RI), Sodik Mudjahid, along with his team. In that meeting, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Underdeveloped Regions, and Transmigration (Kemendes PDT) and BAZNAS agreed to strengthen synergy to enhance zakat literacy at the village level.

The collaboration also encompasses the formation of zakat collection units (UPZ) in villages up to the development of pilot zakat villages. Yandri stated that Kemendes PDT and BAZNAS have aligned tasks in promoting rural communities’ understanding of the importance of zakat.

According to him, zakat literacy needs to be continuously promoted so that society becomes increasingly aware that zakat is an obligation.

“Therefore, the zakat literacy campaign must be simple, reasonable, easy to understand, and appealing to them,” said Yandri.

He added that currently, Kemendes PDT has several programmes that can be linked to zakat. Yandri gave examples of layer chicken villages, catfish villages, tilapia villages, up to broiler chicken villages, which are considered to have income potential.

With income from various businesses, Yandri urged business actors, both individuals and groups, to fulfil zakat mal. According to him, the results of the efforts obtained should not only be enjoyed personally but also accompanied by the obligation to pay zakat.

“Well, I want to cultivate that awareness. You receive money from Allah SWT, so you should pay the zakat mal. Don’t just enjoy the results yourself. Actually, that can also be used to build the village, improve human resources, scholarships for education, and so on,” he added.

On the same occasion, BAZNAS Head Sodik Mudjahid expressed his commitment to strengthening collaboration with Kemendes PDT as an effort to enhance literacy as well as zakat potential in villages.

According to Sodik, to maximise zakat potential in villages across Indonesia, UPZ need to be established up to the village level so that the community can more easily channel their zakat.

“There are 4 things we will do: increasing zakat collection potential, collaboration, UPZ must reach the village level, and safeguarding the zakat amanah,” revealed Sodik.