Public Trust and Literacy Remain Challenges in Zakat Management
Rizaludin Kurniawan, Head of Mobilisation and Collection at Baznas RI, stated that strengthening Islamic philanthropy literacy must be a priority, especially among the younger generation. According to him, research from the Baznas Zakat Literacy Index in 2020, 2022, and 2024 shows a persistent gap between public knowledge regarding zakat and the actual practice of paying it.
Separately, the Zakat Forum emphasised that integrity, transparency, accountability, and neutrality must remain the primary pillars for zakat management organisations (OPZ) amidst increasing public scrutiny of the management of zakat, alms, and charity (ZIS) funds.
According to the Zakat Forum, recent public dynamics and various commentaries serve as a reminder that public trust is a mandate that must be continuously upheld. Zakat managers are required to ensure that every fund entrusted by the public is managed professionally and provides maximum benefit to recipients.
The zakat movement in Indonesia, according to the Zargo Forum, grows through the collective efforts of many parties. Zakat managers, donors (muzaki), recipients (mustahik), the government, scholars, the business world, communities, and various stakeholders all play a role in building a zakat ecosystem capable of addressing societal needs.
For years, ZIS funds have not only been distributed as a fulfillment of religious obligations. These funds are also utilised to support education, health, economic empowerment, humanitarian efforts, and disaster response.
The Zakat Forum believes this role becomes increasingly vital when the public faces emergencies and disasters. At the same time, the significant scale of the mandate managed requires zakat institutions to be increasingly open to public evaluation and oversight.
Trust, according to the Zakat Forum, is not built solely through the number of programmes or the volume of funds collected. Trust is also determined by governance, transparency, accountability, compliance with Sharia provisions, and the consistency of institutions in executing their mandates.
Therefore, every fund entrusted by donors must be managed with the principle of prudence and accountability. Distribution must also be directed towards groups that are rightfully entitled to receive it according to applicable regulations.
The Zakat Forum also emphasised the importance of maintaining the neutrality of zakat management organisations. Zakat institutions work for the interests of the community and humanity; thus, their management space must be protected from practical politics or actions that could create perceptions of bias or the glorification of specific figures.
Maintaining distance from practical political interests, according to the Zakat Forum, does not mean zakat institutions are distancing themselves from national life. Such an attitude is necessary to ensure that the zakat mandate remains focused on its primary goal: providing benefits to the deserving and needy members of society.
ZIS Funds are Bound by Regulations
The Zakat Forum reminded that zakat funds are not funds that can be used freely. Their distribution is bound by Sharia provisions, including the eight categories of zakat recipients (asnaf), as well as zakat management regulations in Indonesia.
Consequently, the management of ZIS does not rely solely on the good intentions of the managers. Every process must also meet the principles of being Sharia-compliant, regulation-compliant, and compliant within the context of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
These three principles, according to the Zakat Forum, must work in tandem to maintain the objectives of Sharia (maqashid syariah) while ensuring the primary mission of ZIS management is preserved.
In this process, the Sharia Supervisory Board (DPS) holds a vital position in ensuring that the management and distribution of funds align with Sharia principles. Oversight is also conducted through various compliance and regulatory mechanisms.