JAKARTA —-— Alhamdulillah, on Thursday (January 15, 2026), Dompet Dhuafa once again held the Indonesia Humanitarian Summit (I-HitS) entitled Empowerment to The Next Level smoothly and successfully at the Nusantara TV Tower, Pulomas, East Jakarta. Through this event, Dompet Dhuafa emphasized its commitment to shifting the paradigm so that humanitarian aid does not stop at direct assistance, but more than that, humanitarian aid is encouraged to become sustainable empowerment. The goal is none other than for the beneficiaries to have strong economic and social resilience, so that they are able to lift themselves out of poverty on their own.
Also present at the I-HitS 2026 event was Prof. Waryono Abdul Ghafur, Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment at the Directorate General of Islamic Guidance of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. On this occasion, Prof. Waryono, representing the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, expressed his appreciation for Dompet Dhuafa’s efforts in assisting the government in alleviating poverty. He also highlighted Dompet Dhuafa’s resilience as a zakat institution (LAZ) that has continued to innovate, grow, and develop for 34 years.
“Dompet Dhuafa, in its development as the earliest philanthropic institution, continues to grow, even though many new institutions have sprung up and increased in number, as we have witnessed today,” said Prof. Waryono.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, we express our appreciation to Dompet Dhuafa for continuing to innovate in the world of philanthropy, so that this institution continues to grow and be creative, especially in how to work with the state to reduce and, hopefully, eradicate poverty, which today still stands at 24 million,” he continued.
Read also: I-HitS 2026: Dompet Dhuafa Distributes Rp422 Billion Throughout 2025
Furthermore, Prof. Waryono also said that Dompet Dhuafa’s resilience, which has continued for more than three decades, proves that this institution is adept at managing internal dynamics. As a pioneer in the world of philanthropy, its 34 years of existence is clear evidence that mature organizational management is the main foundation for an institution that wants to have a long-term impact on society.
“Dompet Dhuafa is a pioneer and role model for new institutions that share the same commitment and passion for managing institutions to ensure their long-term survival,” explained the representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Therefore, according to him, it is not wrong for new zakat institutions to use Dompet Dhuafa as a reference and role model in managing their institutions. Moreover, said Prof. Waryono, Dompet Dhuafa alumni have proven themselves to be leaders who can generate innovative ideas in other zakat institutions.
“I have also witnessed and read that some of my friends who are now leaders of zakat institutions are alumni of Dompet Dhuafa.”
“This means that Dompet Dhuafa is not only concerned with strengthening marginalized and poor communities, but also educating cadres, thereby increasing the number of leaders and figures working in the same field,” explained Prof. Waryono.
Read also: IHitS Dompet Dhuafa Presents Humanitarian Activists at the 2022 Public Expose
At the 2026 I-HitS event, Dompet Dhuafa presented a Public Expose session led by the Chairman of the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation, Ahmad Juwaini. During the session, Ahmad Juwaini presented a transparency report on Dompet Dhuafa’s performance throughout 2025.
Juwaini revealed that Dompet Dhuafa had raised around Rp426 billion, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year. The total reach of the benefits distributed was also massive, touching more than 41 million beneficiaries through the pillars of health, education, economy, social, da’wah, and culture.
Furthermore, to welcome 2026, Dompet Dhuafa projected a strategy focused on “Humanitarian Readiness” and cross-sector collaboration. This strategy includes strengthening faster disaster response, developing community-based economic programs through MSMEs, and a full commitment to global humanitarian issues, particularly long-term assistance for Palestine. With the integration of digital technology, Dompet Dhuafa aims to distribute aid more accurately and transparently to the wider community. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Author: Ronna
Photo: Dompet Dhuafa TV