World Zakat Forum 2017 Officially Open

Jakarta, 16 Jumadil Akhir 1438/15 March 2017 (MINA) – Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin officially opened the  World Zakat Forum (WZF) 2017, which will run for two days from Wednesday (15/3) until Thursday (16/3) at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel Jakarta.

The event is organized by the National Zakat Agency (Baznas).

“Hopefully, the World Zakat conference achieves success and produces things that can be implemented  by zakat instigators in the world,” Lukman said in his opening speech.

He also hoped that the conference will spread positive energy and inter-institutional cooperation among zakat campaigners or those managing zakat around the world.

“On behalf of the Indonesian government, I would like to welcome the delegates attending this conference in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baznas Chairman  Bambang Sudibyo in his speech said, Baznaz together with the Secretary General of WZF Ahmad Juwaini said they feel honored to host of the conference. He hoped, this year, the conference could provide solutions to the problems being faced by the people in the world.

“We hope this conference can be smoothly and is able to agree on a resolution and form the new management of the World Zakat Forum for 2017-2020 period,” he said.

WZF Secretary General Ahmad Juwanini said delegates participating in the WZF will discuss efforts to eradicate poverty since countries with Muslim majority population are still living below the poverty line.

“The conference aims to revitalize the role of zakat in taking part in the socio-economic problems associated with poverty and the empowerment of the people, “he explained.

It brings together zakat managers from 16 countries — Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Morocco, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Brunei Darussalam, Uganda, Nigeria, India, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Cyprus.. (L/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)