Rp55 Billion in Zakat and 1,020 Prayer Locations Reflect High Community Concern in Batam
The high level of social concern among the people of Batam City during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah momentum is reflected in the substantial collection of zakat, infak, and sedekah (ZIS) amounting to Rp55 billion.
The Batam City Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) Office recorded that out of the total funds collected, Rp51 billion has been distributed to communities in need.
The Head of the Batam City Kemenag Office, Budi Dermawan, stated that the ZIS funds were collected through the National Zakat Amil Agency (Baznas) and Zakat Collection Units (UPZ) spread throughout Batam. “This shows that the level of awareness and concern of the Batam community in sharing is increasing,” he said on Saturday (21/3).
In detail, the collection consists of zakat fitrah amounting to Rp31 billion, zakat mal Rp19 billion, zakat fidyah Rp68 million, as well as infak and sedekah Rp4 billion.
In addition to the zakat collection achievement, the high participation of the community is also evident from the implementation of Eid al-Fitr Prayer which took place at 1,020 locations throughout Batam City. The details are 943 locations in mosques, 42 in prayer rooms, and 35 others in open fields or mosque yards.
Thousands of residents crowded several prayer implementation locations, one of which was at Engku Putri Square which became the centre for Eid Prayer on Saturday morning.
The Mayor of Batam, Amsakar Achmad, said that the provision of more than a thousand prayer points aims to accommodate the high enthusiasm of the community while ensuring that worship runs safely and orderly. “The distribution of these locations is expected to facilitate the community and avoid congregation buildup at one point,” he stated.
He also added that overall, the implementation of worship during the month of Ramadan up to Eid al-Fitr in Batam City ran conducive, safe, and peaceful.
SOCIAL SOLIDARITY PICTURE
The large zakat collection and high community participation in worship implementation provide a strong picture of social solidarity and the spirit of togetherness among Batam residents in celebrating this year’s Eid al-Fitr. Several Batam residents expressed gratitude for being able to fulfil their zakat on this Eid al-Fitr, while also feeling the benefits of its distribution.
Damayanti (34), a resident of Batam Kota Subdistrict, said that fulfilling zakat is an obligation as well as a form of concern for others.
“Every year I always try to fulfil zakat. It feels relieving because I can share, especially since we know there are still many who need it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Soesilo (41), a resident of Sagulung, assessed that the management of zakat in Batam is now getting better and more transparent, thus increasing public trust. “Now the distribution is clearer, so we are also more confident that the zakat we give really reaches those who deserve it,” he said.