Indonesia to Host an International Zakat Conference on March 15-16

Minister for Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin shakes hands with Baznas Chairman Bambang Soedibyo (L).

Jakarta, 11 Jumadil Akhir 1438/10 March 2017 (MINA) – The Indonesia’s National Zakat Board (Baznas) along with the World Zakat Forum (WZF) is slated to hold the World Zakat Forum International Conference 2017 in Jakarta on 15 March 16.

The triennial event, bearing the theme ‘Strengthening the Role of Zakat As Global Instrument for Poverty Alleviation’, will be attended by participants from all zakat institutions in Indonesia.

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In addition, the WZF has also invited charity organizations from 16 countries.

Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin has expressed the hope that the World Zakat Forum Conference 2017 will put forward new scientific ideas related to fiqh contemporary zakat, one of which related to the definition of zakat recipients or mustahik.

“I hope there will be a breakthrough idea that charity funds more benefit for the society at large. Therefore, it is necessary for redefinition and reinterpretation of the meaning of groups entitled to receive zakat (ashnaf) in accordance with the present context,” Lukman said when receiving the excutive board of The National Zakat Board (Baznas) in his office, Jakarta, Thursday (9/3).

The minister himself expressed his readiness to be one of speakers at the international forum.

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Earlier, Baznaz Chairman Bambang Soedibyo reported that WZF will discuss the future developments of zakat institutions to work more professional, saying Baznas is not only serves to collect and distribute zakat.

“Baznas infrastructure should be updated, such as, certified amil as it is a profession,” he said while hoping WZF will also produce ‘National Zakat Index’.”

Amid the uncertainty situation, mostly on social economic aspects globally, the Islamic World should have had a room where ummat’s interests can properly be applied, together with how Islamic world will able to contribute at global world and mankind as a part of universal solidarity (ukhuwah wathoniyah and basyariyah) along with ukhuwah islamiyah and ukhuwah insaniyah. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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