JAKARTA – “I can’t imagine what would happen if I didn’t meet Dompet Dhuafa today, what would happen for Eid,” said Hadi (44), a visually impaired marbot, after receiving zakat fitrah rice from Dompet Dhuafa.
On Saturday (03/29/2025), together with several Indonesian artists, Marcella and Olivia Zalianty and Fairuz A Rafiq, Dompet Dhuafa distributed zakat fitrah rice in the Tanah Kusir area, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.
That afternoon, Hadi was seen sweeping the mosque courtyard in preparation for the routine recitation at the Nurul Iman Mosque, Tanah Kusir. Hadi, who has worked as a mosque caretaker for 16 years, admits that he is grateful for his current job.
Far from his mother and sister at home, this man from Pandeglang has been trying his luck in the capital since 2004. Apart from being a caretaker, Hadi also struggles to support himself by opening a massage service and selling homemade broomsticks.
His income is uncertain. In a day, he earns around 20 thousand rupiahs. It is only enough for daily meals. If he has extra savings, he often sends money to his family in his hometown.
Every once in a while, he goes back to Pandeglang to pick up broom materials because the price is more affordable. Then he assembles them after arriving in Jakarta.
Read also: Fairuz A Rafiq, Olivia and Marcella Zalianty Distribute Zakat Fitrah 300 Food Packages
“I’m just looking for blessings. Yes, with the current situation, I will do whatever work I can. I also offer massage services and sell broomsticks at home. Even though I am blind, I have never and will never beg,” said Hadi.
His daily entertainment is taking care of Cipoh the bird, his beloved pet. He said that one day he didn’t make a penny and ended up having to sell his bird.
Towards Eid, the Tanah Kusir village began to empty. He was left alone in his house without his family. One or two neighbors would often greet him.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Spread Zakat Fitrah, Hundreds of Rice Packages Reach Gresik People
He did not expect that afternoon to receive zakat fitrah rice delivered by Fairuz A Rafiq and Dompet Dhuafa directly to his house. Besides rice, Hadi also received cooking oil, wheat flour, sugar, and instant noodles.
“I don’t know what to do if I can’t get rice and these basic necessities from Dompet Dhuafa. It’s almost Eid, people have gone home. There are no customers. If I had this rice, I could make a living, I could cook for today,” he said with a happy laugh.
Tebar Zakat Fitrah itself is a Dompet Dhuafa program that includes payment facilities and distribution to remote areas of the country. By 2025, from Sabang to Merauke, more than 44 thousand rice zakat fitrah had been distributed. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Editor: Dhika