Bappenas to Strengthen Role of Zakat and Wakaf to Support National Development

As part of efforts to enhance the role of zakat (Islamic almsgiving) and wakaf (Islamic endowment) in supporting development, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas initiated the 2024 Zakat Wakaf Impact Forum. 

This forum introduced ideas regarding the utilization of the Socio-Economic Registration (Regsosek) as a database for distributing zakat and wakaf. "By utilizing Regsosek data, zakat and wakaf programs can be more targeted and foster synergy between the government and zakat institutions, as well as among zakat institutions in implementing poverty alleviation and economic empowerment programs for the community," explained the Secretary of the Ministry of National Development Planning/Chief Secretary of Bappenas, Teni Widuriyanti, at the Bappenas Building in Jakarta, on Wednesday (20/3).

The Zakat Wakaf Impact Forum is projected to become an annual agenda serving as a platform for exchanging ideas, concepts, information, and experiences regarding zakat and wakaf programs. To strengthen these efforts, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, together with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Indonesian Wakaf Board, and the National Zakat Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Program Synergy and Development Planning Database, as well as the signing of the Charter of Collaboration Commitment for the Zakat Wakaf Impact Forum between the government and zakat institutions, and among zakat institutions, in implementing poverty alleviation and community economic empowerment programs. 

"We hope that this event will continue to strengthen the commitment of stakeholders to promote zakat and wakaf activities in supporting national development," added Secretary Teni.

The Ministry of National Development Planning’s Deputy for Human Development, Society, and Culture, Amich Alhumami, explained that zakat and wakaf have significant potential to support national development efforts. "Zakat and wakaf have strategic value in reducing poverty, ignorance, and inequality. Zakat has enormous potential, reaching Rp250.4 trillion per year. However, this potential has not been fully tapped, so the zakat collected amounts to only Rp22.5 trillion or 8.9 percent of the zakat potential in general," elaborated Deputy Amich.

Alongside Secretary Teni and Deputy Amich, Bappenas’ Director of Religion, Education, and Culture Didik Darmanto, and Head of the General Bureau Oktorika, symbolically paid zakat and wakaf in cash through the Ministry of National Development Planning's Zakat Collection Unit (UPZ).