AS 28 Countries to Join at World Zakat Forum in Indonesia

Bandung, MINA – A total of 300 leaders of zakat management organizations from 28 countries will attend the 2019 World Zakat Forum (WZF) international conference on Tuesday to Thursday, November 5-7 at Crown Plaza, Bandung, West Java.

Chairman of the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), Bambang Sudibyo, as well as Secretary-General of the WZF, said there were 33 members of the World Zakat Forum. “There are five countries from Africa that are having difficulty getting visas,” he said.

Bambang said initially the eighth WZF would be held in Brunei Darussalam, but they were not ready. For this reason, WZF 2019 will be held in Indonesia.

With the theme of “Optimizing Global Zakat Role through Digital Technology”, the event will be opened by Indonesian Vice President, Ma’ruf Amin. The event will also be attended by the Indonesian Minister of Religion, Fahrul Razi and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi.

Bambang Sudibyo said that the theme of WZF 2019 was raised because of the need for zakat management which must be in line with people’s lifestyles which now becoming fast-paced and easy with digital technology facilities.

“The challenge is how with this technological advancement can further increase the acceleration of services for zakat managers. Besides, how to increase public awareness about the benefits of tithing for Muslims worldwide,” he said.

In addition, in responding to the challenges of zakat in the digital age by utilizing technology, zakat managers can accelerate access to the needs of zakat recipients (mustahik).

During the WZF, 25 speakers will deliver presentations on the management of zakat in the digital age. This conference will also be attended by members of the association, IDB, UNICEF, D-8, UNDP, and Bank Indonesia.

In addition, there will also be Baznas throughout Indonesia, regional leaders, and related agencies, academics and researchers, the Amil Zakat Institute (LAZ), non-governmental organizations, the representatives of multinational institutions, students, and the general public.

WZF International Conference 2019 is a meeting place for world zakat activists to jointly improve the quality of global zakat management to achieve world welfare goals.

The current WZF representative countries namely Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, America, Britain, Turkey, Vietnam, Australia, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Ghana, Maldives, Senegal, Liberia, Togo, Benin and Sierra Leon. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)