REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA --Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment, Waryono Abdul Ghafur, officially inaugurated the Kampung Zakat Program in Kampung Oeselaen, Akle Village, South Semau District, Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Eastern (NTT) on Thursday (11/1/2024). This program is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag RI) and Laznas Dewan Da'wah.

In addition to using state budgets, poverty alleviation efforts are also run through various means, one of which is by religious-based organizations. Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam and is believed to be the solution to the problem of poverty that occurs in society. In Law No. 23 of 2011 on zakat management it is stated that zakat management is aimed at alleviating poverty and improving public welfare. From this it can be interpreted that any form of activity involving the use of zakat funds should aim to raise the standard of living of the mustahik to muzaki or reduce the poverty that occurs in society.

Kampung zakat is one of the programs of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia together with the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS), the Amil Zakat Institution (LAZ), Ministries/Institutions, Local Government and various stakeholders to address the problem of poverty and provide an impact on improving and improving the quality of life in the fields of economy, education, health, social, and preaching. The program has been launched since 2018.

Until 2024, the location of kampung zakat has reached 54 location points spread across Indonesia, with a total of 26,575 beneficiaries involving 48 Baznas and Amil Zakat Institutions collaborating.

Since being appointed Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment, Wayono has continued to collaborate and synergize with the National Amil Zakat Agency and the Amil Zakat Institution.

In 2024, the Ministry of Religious Affairs collaborated with LAZNAS Dewan Da'wah to create the Kampung Zakat program in East Nusa Tenggara. This program is one of the approaches to economic empowerment of the people based on local wisdom. At NTT, Laznas Dewan Da'wah has worked to run a variety of programs, including the delivery of salaried teachers and their assisted living accommodations. In addition, community empowerment programs such as honey and seaweed production have also been implemented to have a positive impact on the lives of local people.

Waryono Abdul Ghafur, in his speech stated that the Ministry of Religious Affairs with LAZNAS DDII in carrying out the kampung zakat program is expected to improve 3 main things to build civilization in Kampung Oeselaen, Akle Village namely Education, Health and economy.

Hopefully this program can educate generations of children in the future. For children and teachers who are not yet undergraduate and want a bachelor's degree, there is an Islamic cyber university program at IAIN Shaikh Gunung Jati, awarded full scholarships, he said.

Waryono also stressed the importance of cooperation between the government and amil zakat agencies in supporting economic development and community welfare in remote areas.

“We express our appreciation and thanks to LAZNAS DDII, its hope that this Kampung Zakat Program can be a milestone of progress for the people in Kampung Oeselaen and its surroundings can be used as a hahal tourist village in terms of seaweed so that it becomes an attraction for Muslim tourists,” he said.

The program is expected to not only provide financial assistance, but also open up new opportunities for communities to develop their local potential. Through this joint effort, it is hoped to create a society that is independent and develops sustainably.

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