Baznas Encourages Collaboration To Overcome Zakat-Based Disaster Challenges

JAKARTA - The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) of the Republic of Indonesia encourages collaboration and partnership of pentahelix in disaster management based on zakat which aims to strengthen synergies between various elements of society, government, academics, the business world, and the media in overcoming disaster challenges.

This was stated by the Chairman of the Indonesian Baznas Noor Achmad at the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) Baznas Disaster Response (BTB) and the Baznas Healthy Home (RSB) in Semarang, Friday night, December 13.

"Never feel ashamed to invite the public to support our program, because this is an obligation taught by the Prophet SAW," said Noor, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday.

Noor emphasized the important strength of collaboration and synergy with the community, because he considered that the community actually wanted to donate their wealth to other people in need through trustworthy institutions.

"On average they (the public) believe that the institution they admit to distribute as well as possible is the Indonesian Baznas," he added.

Noor hopes that solid collaboration can create harmonization of humanist and religious disaster management.

According to him, a transcendence approach is also needed in every Baznas activity, which focuses not only on the endangered aspect, but also on promoting religious values.

"Every step of Baznas is a mandate from Allah SWT which is taught through the Prophet SAW. Ideologically it is important to become a common guide, (that) what we do is part of what Allah has ordered to his house," he said.

With an integrated strategy and a synergy spirit, said Noor, Baznas is optimistic that it will be able to expand the reach of poverty alleviation programs and make this institution a model for managing zakat, infaq, and alms (ZIS) in Indonesia.

"We hope that this strength can continue to provide assistance to the community, both in disaster conditions and non-disaster conditions, as exemplified by the Prophet SAW," said Noor Achmad.