JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion has confirmed that the distribution of zakat is not for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program and is only intended for eight ashnaf or those who are entitled to receive zakat benefits as stipulated in Surat Al-Taubah verse 60.
"There is no zakat policy for MBG. We ensure that the distribution of zakat is carried out in accordance with syariat and laws and regulations," said Head of the Public Relations and Public Communication Bureau (HKP) of the Ministry of Religion, Thobib Al Asyhar, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 20.
The eight ashnaf consist of fakir (people who do not have property and work to meet basic needs), poor (people who have jobs but the results are not enough for daily needs), and amil (officers who meet the provisions set as managers of zakat).
Then the mu'allaf (person who has just converted to Islam), riqab (slave), gharimin (person who is in debt), fisabilillah (person who fights in the way of Allah), and ibnu sabil (person who is on a journey).
"This principle is the main foundation in the national zakat governance," said Thobib.
According to Thobib, in Article 25 of Law No. 23 of 2011 concerning Zakat Management, it is stipulated that zakat must be distributed to the beneficiaries in accordance with Islamic law. The beneficiaries are people who are entitled to receive zakat.
Meanwhile, Article 26 emphasizes that the distribution of zakat, as referred to in Article 25, is carried out based on the priority scale by taking into account the principles of equity, justice, and territoriality.
"Zakat is a trust of the people that must be maintained and distributed according to the provisions of sharia. The rights of the mustahik are a priority in every policy of managing zakat funds," he said.
Thobib also emphasized that zakat management is carried out professionally, transparently, and accountable through official institutions that are supervised and audited periodically, both through the National Zakat Amil Agency (Baznas) and the Zakat Amil Agency (LAZ).
"I invite the public to channel their zakat to zakat management institutions that have official permits from the government, both Baznas and LAZ. For accountability, their performance is also audited by independent auditors periodically," said
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