Bukittinggi Baznas Has Collected Rp2.2 Billion Zakat

Bukittinggi, (Antara Sumbar) - National Amil Zakat (Baznas) Agency of Bukittinggi Municipality, West Sumatra has collected title (zakat) which amounting to Rp2.2 billion from January to August 2017.

Chairman of Baznas of Bukittinggi, Rahman R in Bukittinggi, on Wednesday (Sept 13), said 85 percent of zakat comes from local civil servants and the rest are from entrepreneurs or private persons who escort to Baznas office of Bukittinggi.

"This year, Baznas targets to collect Rp2.4 billion zakat. By using the role of volunteers and collecting units of zakat (UPZ) in the mosque, it is expected to achieve the target and help people who are eligible to receive assistance," he added.

He mentioned in 2017 it channeled zakat amounting to Rp1.68 billion to mustahik through Bukittinggi Cerdas program which reached 1,346 mustahik, Bukittinggi Makmur 1,303 mustahik.

Then Bukittinggi Peduli 1,030 recipients, Bukittinggi Taqwa for 164 Mustahik and through Bukittinggi Sehat program to 110 mustahik or total of 3,936 mustahik.

"Then Rp240 million will be used for assistance in case of unforeseen events such as natural disasters, fires or recent assistance for Rohingya Muslims, totaling Rp1.92 billion, distributed during 2017," he explained.

Until now, the distribution of zakat has been completed through three programs while two other programs namely Bukittinggi Cerdas and Bukittinggi Makmur are still in process.

"In Bukittinggi Cerdas there are still Rp16 million for 40 students and Bukittinggi Makmur is in the form of money, capital in the form of goods and guidance," he continued.

The distribution of aid is conducted by the end of September 2017.

He considered the awareness of local residents in issuing zakat is good but many of them still channeled personally to people around the environment.

Distribution in private, according to him, do not feared in right target because generally society does not expert in verify who is entitled to receive zakat yet.

"There is no prohibition to channel it ourselves, but we are still appealing that people channel it through Baznas to be more effective, if it does not on target, it will be called charity instead of tithe," he said. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika