Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – In order to eradicate poverty, the Malang City Government invited the Malang City Zakat Collection Agency (Baznas), the Ministry of Religion, and the Zakat Collection Institution (LAZ) to share a common vision to resolve this social problem.
This was conveyed by the Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji at the coordination and development meeting of the Zakat Management Organization (OPZ) for the Relationship between Baznas, the Ministry of Religion, and the Malang City Government at the Grand Mercure Malang Mirama, Wednesday (26/10/2022).
Mayor Sutiaji called for zakat institutions, the Ministry of Religion and the Malang City Government to have one vision, namely eradicating social problems or poverty through zakat management.
"The need for us to gather in this place is to align the vision. Now the potential for zakat in Malang City is extraordinary," explained Sutiaji.
With the extraordinary potential of zakat, Sutiaji asked to strengthen his vision on how to have a map, the achievement of the path to poverty reduction through zakat. Where Baznas as the controller of zakat to carry out a clear mapping between who is entitled to receive zakat and who is entitled to pay zakat.
"Baznas as a controller so that there is a mapping. We have a guideline for which goods are right and which are wrong. Eliminate sectoral egos so that we do not stagnate because we must have a roadmap for the future to overcome the problem of poverty," said Sutiaji.
Head of the Malang City Social Welfare Section, Achmad Mabrur said that this coordination activity aims to raise the status of the Malang City community. Because from experience so far if the zakat management institution and the government do not work together, the desired vision cannot be maximized.
"While the target is the same (mustahik) but if they run alone they will not be optimal. For example, LAZ is engaged in the economic sector, the government supports the economy, Baznas is the economy, it will not be optimal. It needs joint work, a shared vision, there needs to be joint sharing," explained Mabrur.
Head of the Malang City Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muhtar Hazawawi, admitted that he agreed with the Mayor of Malang regarding the need for a harmonious relationship. Both the Malang City Government, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and LAZ for strengthening and eradicating socio-religious problems.
"Coordination of harmonious relations between the Ministry of Religion, Malang City Government and LAZ to strengthen and eradicate existing social and religious problems is very necessary," explained Muhtar.
Chairman of Baznas Malang City, Sulaiman said that so far there is a possibility of differences in collecting zakat which is considered normal. But in the future, the distribution of zakat can be done together.
"In collecting, we may be different, each has its own donors. The hope is that in the distribution of our hopes, the hope of the Ministry of Religion must have a shared moment as a form of togetherness that zakat institutions, both Baznas and LAZ, can run well," said Sulaiman.
According to existing regulations, Baznas Malang City has two functions, namely as an operator that collects zakat, infak and alms funds. Second is as a LAZ coordinator with the mandate to report distribution and collection activities to Baznas East Java Province and Baznas Center. (cah/ram)
