All Zakat Managers (amil) of Indonesia Meet in Bogor Agricultural University

The Department of Sharia Economics, of the Faculty of Economics and Management of Bogor Agricultural University (FEM IPB), in cooperation with Center for Islamic Business and Economic Studies (CIBEST) and National Bureau of Amil Zakat (BAZNAS) organized National Seminar and Public Expose Indonesia Zakat Outlook. The theme of the event on "Revitalisasi Peran Zakat dalam Mendorong Perekonomian Negara yang Berkelanjutan = Revitalization of Zakat Role in Encouraging the Economy of Sustainable State". The event was carried out at IPB International Convention Center (IICC), Bogor, 12 December 2017.

Head of Center for Strategic Studies (PUSKAS) of BAZNAS, who is also Chairman of the Department of Sharia Economics of IPB, Dr. Irfan Syauqi Beik, in his remarks stated that  this event was part of the dissemination of Center for Strategic Studies of Baznas products, which will celebrate its first anniversary this year. In its history PUSKAS of BAZNAS has been trying to contribute in strengthening Baznas. PUSKAS products have also been adopted as part of national zakat managers, for example national zakat index. This national policy has been adopted as the  national policy, also has been appreciated internationally.

In addition, he explained, that this national seminar was also present the dynamics of zakat management nationally. The national zakat management in 2017 is better than the year 2016. The indicator is the collected national zakat has reached 25-30 percent.

Impact of welfare increment, it rose 10 percent, both for their income, morality of mentality. "Because of PUSKAS of BAZNAS principle, the welfare bill is not just fiscally responsible but morally right too," he said.

The program is considered successful in increasing the income of zakat recipients (mustahik) up to 27 percent / year. If viewed from the income per month, the mustahik has a tendency of a positive increase of 27 percent or an increase from Rp 2,660,770 per month to Rp 3,231,438 per month.

He stated that PUSKAS needs to be supported through cooperation of all sectors, especially with universities. "Without campus, zakat development will not be optimal," he added.

Dr. Irfan said that to encourage  the increase of zakat in the regions, the support of local government is really required. The government support will consist of  two items, namely  rules or regional regulations (Perda) and budget.

Secretary of Institut (SI)of  IPB, Dr. Ibnul Qayim stated that  IPB as a state university welcome the event.

Dr. Ibn al-Qayim also hopes that if there were the mandatory number. Another idea the zakat payers will be exempted of paying parking fees when they enter the parking lots of campus area of IPB Botani Square. "Similar to the taxpayers, the names of top zakat payers will be published periodically in the university’ web or other publications, to increase the community awareness to pay zakat," he added.

The event was attended by representatives of Badan Amil Zakat (BAZ) of each region as well as campus representatives from all over Indonesia. (Wied)