Reach Rp327 T, Zakat Potential in Indonesia Almost Equal to RI's Social Protection Budget

Dream - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) says that the potential of zakat in Indonesia is still very large, reaching Rp327 trillion per year. This potential figure almost equals the government's social protection budget for 2022, which reaches Rp431.5 trillion.

The Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment at Kemenag, Waryono Abdul Ghafur, who was recently inaugurated to replace Tarmizi Tohor who entered retirement, stated that the potential of zakat in Indonesia can still be increased.

Indonesia currently has 512 Zakat Amil Institutions, 49,132 Zakat Collection Units (UPZ), 145 Zakat Institutions, and 10,124 amils.

"With such great resources, I am optimistic that zakat collection in Indonesia will continue to increase," said Waryono quoted from the Kemenag website, Friday, August 25, 2023.

Three Focuses of Kemenag in Zakat Development

Waryono hopes that zakat empowerment in the future can focus on three things. First, realizing strong believers in imam and economy. Second, intellectual strengthening. Third, technological strengthening.

"This is our joint homework. If this can be done, Insha Allah, zakat will become a strategic part that not only helps the country directly but is also felt by the community," he said.

Currently, there are approximately 10.7 million mustahik (zakat recipients) in Indonesia. According to Waryono, mapping needs to be done to ensure that zakat funds are distributed accurately.

Waryono also reminded that poverty is not only about economic issues but also involves other sectors, such as access to education, health, employment, and others.

"I hope zakat institutions can map their respective working areas. There should be no overlapping mustahik in receiving assistance. Zakat distribution must be accurate. One family should not receive the same assistance," he said.

"Through zakat funds, we can raise families or future generations that are thayyibah (good), not weak generations. Zakat, in the pillars of Islam, is positioned in the middle, so it can influence upwards and downwards," he added.

As regulators, Kemenag and Zakat Institutions must be able to maintain the trust of the community, especially the muzaki (zakat payers). So that they willingly and enthusiastically pay zakat.

"Zakat management must also be transparent, accountable, accurate, and globally standardized," he concluded.