MPR Speaker Praises Baznas for Supporting Communities, Including Palestinians
JAKARTA — Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ahmad Muzani, praised the work of the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) in supporting communities, including through its contributions to people in Palestine.
Through various programmes, Baznas helps communities by providing clean water, scholarships, capital for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the construction of decent housing.
Muzani made the remarks at the 2026 Baznas National Coordination Meeting, themed “Consolidating Productive and Impactful Zakat in Indonesia”, held in Jakarta from 13 to 15 October 2026.
He said Baznas’ programmes demonstrated the agency’s practical role in helping people address social and economic problems while improving their welfare.
“What Baznas is doing is right. When there is a water shortage, Baznas is there. When scholarships are lacking, Baznas provides them. When capital is lacking, Baznas helps with MSME funding. When homes are unfit to live in, Baznas helps build them,” Muzani said in his speech on Tuesday (13 October 2026).
He also said Baznas’ efforts to launch and implement aid programmes deserved recognition.
“There may still be shortcomings, but what is remarkable is that Baznas has started all of this,” he said.
Muzani stressed that Baznas’ contribution went beyond distributing aid, encompassing long-term efforts to eradicate poverty and advance education. Through zakat management, Baznas is expected to help people who initially qualify to receive zakat, known as mustahik, become economically independent and eventually become muzaki, or zakat payers.
“This is Baznas’ good work and contribution to eradicating poverty, advancing education and helping people move from being mustahik to becoming muzaki,” he said.
He urged Baznas to remain present in communities and serve the public.
“Baznas must be there when needed, both when people want to pay zakat, infaq and sadaqah, and when they need help. That is what we want to discuss at today’s national coordination meeting,” he said.
At the same event, Baznas Chairman Sodik Mujahid outlined several of the agency’s strategic programmes for 2026–2031. He also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing aid for Palestine.
“Today, we are also showing our concern for East Nusa Tenggara, with fundraising and financial support planned for Palestinians. We are also paying particular attention to our media colleagues who encountered problems while covering Krakatau,” he said.