Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – During 2020, the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) of Malang City managed to collect funds of around IDR 2,6 billion, and in 2021 it collected IDR 3,6 billion or an increase of 40 percent. This year, Baznas is expected to collect even greater funds, considering the public's awareness to pay zakat and give alms and its very high potential.
This was conveyed by the Head of Baznas Malang City, Sulaiman, on Tuesday (18/1/2022) after receiving corporate social responsibility (CSR) from Bank Jatim in the form of one car and one motorbike which were symbolically handed over by the Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji.
According to him, with this grant, in addition to further improving Baznas' performance, the potential for zakat and alms collected will also increase significantly. "We are optimistic that we can realize what the Mayor of Malang has appealed to work better and collect charity from the community," he said.
Until now, he said, there have been at least 100 Zakat Management Units (UPZ) managed by mosque administrators. And out of 57 sub-districts, currently eight sub-districts already have UPZ and the remaining 49 sub-districts are targeted to have UPZ this year.
Sulaiman admitted that in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, public awareness to help others was very high. So that the alms that went to Baznas were also large. Likewise at the end of 2021 with the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency and flash floods in Batu City, the public's enthusiasm to distribute their aid was very high.
"God willing, public awareness is quite high, it's just how in the future the existing zakat or UPZ institutions can deliver their programs in real terms. What are the needs in society, how to help the poor and others. So that people who have excess wealth will voluntarily convey their alms or mandate to the institution," continued Sulaiman.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sutiaji said, currently there needs to be a sorting so that there is no overlap in collecting zakat, infak and sedekah from existing zakat institutions. Thus, the potential charity from the community is accommodated well and can be used as well as possible for those who are entitled to receive it.
"We also have a program called from mustahik to muzaki, or from people who are entitled to receive zakat to people who are obliged to pay zakat," he added.
Furthermore, the number one person in the Malang City Government said that if the program runs optimally, it will automatically continue to reduce poverty rates. Because the upper hand is better than the lower hand. "So far, Baznas Malang City has also distributed educational assistance for children from underprivileged families and community economic empowerment," he explained. (say/ram)
