President and Cabinet Members Pay Zakat at the Palace, Baznas Optimistic that Rp60 T Target will be Achieved

President Prabowo Subianto paid zakat through the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (13/3). (Presidential Press Office)

President Prabowo Subianto paid zakat through the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (13/3). This zakat payment was also made by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and the Red and White Cabinet.

Chairman of Baznas Sodik Mudjahid said that the payment of zakat by state leaders has a big impact, not only for increasing the collection of zakat, but also as a moral boost for the community.

"Alhamdulillah today, 23 Ramadan, we all at Baznas symbolically received the zakat payers of the President, the Vice President, and the entire Cabinet," said Sodik after the zakat acceptance ceremony at the State Palace.

He explained that the presence of national figures in fulfilling zakat has a very strong influence in increasing community participation.

"This gives us an extraordinary point. In addition to course, our acceptance has increased, more importantly is the support of morel," said Sodik.

Examples from the leaders of this country are expected to be effective in increasing public awareness to perform zakat.

"The figures and officials give their zakat to Baznas. Our survey shows that the payment of leaders, the payment of these figures is more effective than the campaign we are doing," he explained.

Sodik also revealed that the national zakat collection in Ramadan this year showed a positive trend. From 746 zakat management units throughout Indonesia, the funds that have been collected have reached trillions of rupiah.

"Baznas itself, this Ramadan, from 746 units, thank God, has collected Rp6 trillion," he said.

He added that the report was still temporary because not all regional Baznas had submitted the latest data.

Baznas targets the national zakat collection to reach Rp60 trillion as part of the poverty alleviation program and improving people's welfare.

"We are only in the third month, plus Ramadan. Insyaallah with the support of all, hopefully we can reach the target of 60 trillion," said Sodik.

He also invited the public to be more active in paying zakat through official institutions. So that the distribution is targeted.

"To the public, once again we appeal to pay zakat. Our term is zakat helping the community and zakat is a helper in the afterlife," he said.

Sodik ensured that Baznas was ready to distribute zakat to beneficiaries in accordance with the principles of trust and sharia provisions.

"We are ready, Baznas is ready to receive and distribute to the beneficiaries in accordance with the principle of trust and in accordance with sharia," he said.