Optimizing The Potential of Zakat, Dompet Dhuafa holds Sharia Banks

JAKARTA – Dompet Dhuafa holds Islamic banks incorporated in Indonesia Sharia Bank Association (Asbisindo) to optimize the collection of zakat. The agreement is contained in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that signed by President Director of Dompet Dhuafa Ismail A. Said and the Chairman of Asbisindo A. Riawan Amin in Restaurant Mirasari, Kemang in South Jakarta, on Wednesday (14/3).

“At present the potential of zakat in Indonesia is very large, but last year the newly gathered through zakat management institutions was not more than 1.5 percent,” said President Director of Dompet Dhuafa, Ismail A. Said.

Developed under this collaboration, Ismail added, people will more easily distributing their Zakat funds through the services that available in Islamic (Sharia) banks, due later on in each Islamic banks that are members of this association will be opened outlets of charity services, and also charity of infaq. “Thus the collection of zakat in Indonesia can be optimized,” he said.

Ismail explained, during this philanthropic funds in the form of zakat, alms, and infaq, they have proven to be one instrument of poverty alleviation. Through the empowerment programs that has been run by the zakat management institutions such as Dompet Dhuafa, many poor people are assisted and helped. “Even now many of them became independent and turned into donors,” as he said.

Meanwhile, The Chairman of Asbisindo, A. Riawan Amin said, the cooperation with Dompet Dhuafa is a form of grateful for the blessings that God has given for the current development of Islamic banks in Indonesia that is very rapid.

“Our signed today with Dompet Dhuafa will help us get the results that God willing we’ll be packed in real life,” said Riawan.

Just a note, the association of sharia banks in Indonesia (Asbisindo), which consists of 24 commercial banks and Sharia Sharh, and 109 Sharia Rural Banks spread across Indonesia. [Mir]