President launches donation drive

President launches donation drive

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched on
Wednesday the National Movement of Muslim Donations, calling on
all Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation to help the
less fortunate.

"The movement is aimed at purifying our wealth. But this has
nothing to do with investigations (into graft cases)," Susilo
said during a ceremony at the State Palace.

A study by Syarif Hidayatulah State Islamic University found
that Indonesian Muslims privately donate up to Rp 19.3 trillion
(US$1.9 billion) annually.

At the same time, government-sanctioned alms collection bodies
raise less than Rp 300 billion a year, as most people prefer to
donate directly to the needy, said the head of the National Alms
Agency, Didin Hafifuddin.

Paying alms is mandatory for Muslims during Idul Fitri. -- JP