State Funding for Kurban Deemed Legitimate in Public Interest

Deputy Chairman of DPP KORLABI (Islamic Defence Reporting Command) Novel Bamumin stated that the use of state funds for presidential kurban is permissible when aimed at public welfare and carried out through legitimate budgetary procedures. Novel, in a statement in Jakarta on Friday, said the practice of using state funds for providing sacrificial animals has a basis in Islamic jurisprudence and can be considered a form of public welfare. “In the modern Indonesian context, the state budget is treated as Baitul Mal [public treasury], so the kurban is performed on behalf of the state, not individual officials,” Novel said. He added that using state funds for kurban distributed to the public can be seen as part of the state’s role in providing social services and religious outreach. He cited a hadith from Imam Bukhari encouraging leaders to purchase sacrificial animals through Baitul Mal or state funds. Novel stressed that the use of state funds for socio-religious activities must be understood within the framework of public benefit, provided management is transparent and targeted. “Funds must come from legitimate budget lines and be clearly allocated for public distribution. If used for personal gain or misdirected, that would be problematic,” he said. He also cited the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), stating that using state funds for sacrificial animals does not contradict Sharia principles if intended for the wider public. He said the primary aim of the policy is to assist the public while maximising the social benefits of state funds. “If the question is whether state funds can be used to buy sacrificial cattle for distribution to the people, the answer is permitted under MUI’s fatwa based on the practice of leaders during the Prophet’s time using Baitul Mal,” he said. Beyond Sharia considerations, Novel argued that distributing sacrificial animals to the public strengthens communal solidarity and economic equity, especially for those in need. He urged continued public oversight to prevent malpractice in procurement and distribution of sacrificial animals. “Citizens can monitor for suspected price mark-ups or misdirected distribution,” he said. Novel hoped the debate over state funding for kurban would not obscure its main purpose: delivering social benefits to the public during Eid al-Adha.