Indonesia to Host 3rd World Zakat Forum

The committee of the 3rd World Zakat Forum (WZF) during a press conference in Jakarta. Photo: Roy/MINA

Jakarta, 23 Jumadil Akhir 1438/21 Februari 2017 (MINA) – Indonesia will host the annual conference of World Zakat Forum (WZF) scheduled to take place in Jakarta on March 15 to 16, 2017.

Bearing the theme “Strengthening the Role of Zakat As Global Instruments for Poverty Alleviation”, the conference is part of collaboration between the WZF and Indonesian Badan Amil Zakat Nasional (Baznas).

As one of the five pillars of Islam; Zakat is an obligatory form of giving, determined by the taxation of wealth and income for the poor and people in need.

At least Muslim figures from 20 countries will be present as speakers to express their perspectives on the charity relating to social and economic problems, especially poverty reduction.

“It requires the involvement of various parties who care about the Zakat to contribute ideas in producing pithy formulation,” said The Secretary General of the WZF Ahmad Juwaini in Jakarta, Monday (20/2).

He expected the conference to produce strategic measures to optimalise Zakat to overcome poverty in Muslim countries nowadays.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Baznas Sudibyo said that Indonesia as the largest Muslim nation in the world has been used Zakat as one of solutions to overcome the poverty in the country.

Baznas as coordinator of zakat in Indonesia also continues to form innovative programs so that its distribution could be more effective and targeted.

“WZF 2017 convening in Indonesia is very important for the management of the national charity, so that both the government and the people will be more confident with great benefits and role of zakat,” he said.

The conference will also choose its new Secretary General which will last for three years.(L/RE1/RS05)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)