World Muslim Experts of Zakat Gather at IPB
Faculty of Economics and Management of IPB in cooperation with the Islamic Research and Training Institute, National Zakat Agency and the Indonesian Asociation of Islamic Economy held an International Workshop On Zakat, Waqf and Islamic Microfinance: Strengthening Social Islamic Finance Sector. This event, held at IPB International Convention Center, (29-30/4), is part of the 12th anniversary of the Faculty of Economics and Management and also the 50th Anniversary of IPB.
Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Dr. Yusman Syaukat in his speech, said that economic growth under Islamic financial institutions have started growing rapidly in Indonesia. However, their support to agriculture is still considered low, as a result Indonesian farmers remain poor. Furthermore, he emphasized that based on a survey the creditors in agriculture is still about 5%. Therefore, he hopes with this mutual sinergy of Islamic micro-finance institutions, zakat and waqf can give new hope and advantage to the poor and also to businesses in agriculture in the countryside.
Meanwhile, IPB Vice Rector of Resources and Development, Prof. Dr. Herman Siregar in his speech, said that this international discussion related to zakat, waqf and microfinance institutions will make a strong synergy for Muslim economic improvement and solution to the poverty problem. Additionally in this regard IPB has played an active role as is evident with the establishment of the Islamic Economic Study Program in IPB and the many of those with such concern in this field are from IPB. This international seminar can also contribute ideas to the improvement of economy through zakat, donation and micro finance institutions.
Present as the guest speakers were Chairman of National Zakat Board, Prof. Didin Hafiddudin; Senior Economist of IDB Jeddah), M Obaidullah and Director General of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Anggito Abhimanyu. This workshop was opened by Deputy Coordinating Ministry for Economy, Bobby Hamzah Ratinus and followed by Zakat Distributing Institutions from various countries including Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, India and Singapore. (Mtd)
