POROZ voices protest over Indosat advertisement deemed to belittle zakat
The narrative in this advertisement could sow doubt among the public regarding responses to educational services and official zakat collection carried out by authorised Amil institutions.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Association of Zakat Management Organizations (POROZ) has voiced protests and objections to the outdoor advertising material of IM3 Indosat found on public transport modes, which features the message: “Phone Call Soliciting Zakat, Don’t Answer! It Might Be a Scammer.”
“Advertisements like this are problematic,” said POROZ General Chairman Bukhori Muslim when confirmed from Jakarta on Friday.
POROZ assesses that the diction used in the advertisement is inappropriate, tends to be provocative, and could harm public trust in the national zakat movement being built by zakat institutions.
According to Bukhori, positioning “zakat solicitation” as synonymous with or indicative of fraudulent activity (scamming) constitutes stigmatisation of one of the highly revered pillars of Islam.
“This narrative could create doubt among the public in responding to educational services and official zakat collection carried out by authorised Amil, which have been operating in accordance with Law No. 23 of 2011 on Zakat Management,” he stated.
In connection with this matter, POROZ demands that IM3 Indosat issue an official and public apology to the Muslim community and all zakat management organisations in Indonesia through national media (print/digital) and the company’s official social media.
“Immediately instruct the withdrawal and removal of all such advertising materials from all platforms, both in public transport and other billboard locations, within a maximum of 2x24 hours,” said Bukhori.
Additionally, POROZ requests that the relevant parties provide clarification and assurances that in the future, management will conduct strict supervision of creative content to ensure it does not contain elements offensive to religious symbols.
“POROZ hopes that IM3 Indosat will promptly demonstrate good faith in resolving this issue to maintain conduciveness and mutual respect in public spaces,” he said.
As of the publication of this news, Indosat has not responded when confirmed.