Strengthening the Muslim Community's Economy, Baznas and Aksesmu Launch the Zmart Ramadan Programme

Badan Amil Zakat Nasional (Baznas) RI officially strengthened its collaboration with PT Sumber Trijaya Lestari (Aksesmu), a supplier of goods, for the empowerment programme Zmart. Baznas Chair Noor Achmad said this synergy is an effort to strengthen management and supply chains for micro-entrepreneurs in rural as well as urban areas. ‘Currently the number of Zmart units nationwide has reached 4,805. The collaboration with Aksesmu as a distribution facilitator is crucial. We hope going forward Alfamart, Alfamidi, and Zmart can mutually reinforce each other, not compete,’ he said in an official statement, Thursday (5/3). Noor Achmad noted that the ultimate aim of the programme is the economic independence of the beneficiaries. With better management and supply chain support from Aksesmu, small shop owners are expected to move from mustahik to muzaki. ‘We are strengthening small shops in urban areas through sound management. Through the Zmart programme, we want Zmart merchants to be more empowered so that they can eventually transform from zakat recipients (mustahik) to zakat givers (muzaki),’ he added. Zmart is an economic empowerment programme in the form of a micro-retail business as an effort to increase the presence and capacity of businesses to overcome poverty in urban areas. Aid is provided in the form of branding, equipment, business capital, and mentoring. The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) moved quickly to distribute zakat rice for residents affected by tidal flooding in the Bekasi Regency, West Java. Nationally, zakat management in 2025 is projected to lift 302,994 people out of poverty. Five ambulances will be stationed at Rumah Sehat Baznas West Java, East Jakarta, Bulukumba, Jepara, Pelalawan, Karanganyar, and Palu. The aid is a collaboration between the private sector and Islamic philanthropic organisations in response to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Of the total 5,000 quotas provided, at launch nearly half had been filled.