Moslems told to pay alms

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja transferred yesterday more than Rp 1.8 billion collected by Bazis, the board overseeing Islamic alms collection, to charity groups.

The money would be used to help house orphans and the elderly, assist small traders and to build mosques and other religious projects in greater Jakarta.

In his address at City Hall, Surjadi called on Jakarta Moslems to improve their social awareness by paying the alms through the board.

Chairman of the board Somad Muin said in his report that until Dec. 10 last year the board had collected Rp 4.73 billion from Moslem philanthropists. "Until Dec. 26 the board has donated a total of Rp 1.19 billion for more than 360 mosques, 461 women's prayer groups and 230 foundations and other educational organizations."

Yesterday the governor also signed an agreement with PT Unilever and PT Tafakul Keluarga for the companies to donate a portion of their product costs to the fund raising drive. Under the agreement, anybody buying a Unilever product will donate Rp 250 to Bazis to help orphans.

PT Unilever produces food products and cosmetics and PT Tafakul is an insurance company. (ste/sur)