Kiai NU: MBG Program Should Not Use Baznas Funds

A number of NU kiai held events in Kediri, East Java. (ANTARA/HO-event committee)

KEDIRI - A number of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) kiai gave a statement that the Free Nutrition Eating program carried by the government of the President and Vice President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka should not use the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) funds.

One of the kiai, namely Kiai Marzuki Mustamar, emphasized that the Free Nutrition Eating (MBG) program should not use the funds raised by Baznas. This is also based on a study that zakat is withdrawn there are special requirements and is managed in clear rules.

"From our books on the Koran, zakat is withdrawn, there are conditions, taken and managed by whom there are rules in Islam. For those who are entitled to receive it, there are also provisions," he said in his statement in Kediri, Sunday.

His party assessed that when the zakat funds were transferred to the nutritional addition program, they did not meet the provisions in the books that had been referred so far.

He also did not agree with the discourse on the use of Baznas funds for the MBG program. The program provides food for school children.

He added that Baznas funds could only be used to help poor Muslims.

This cannot be generalized with recipients in schools. Many are also from the wealthy and non-Muslims.

"We continue to hold our religious and sharia beliefs. In the event of a promiscuity crashing into the rules in the Shari'a, because in the program there are those who accept that there are rich, there are also non-Muslim children. If zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims," he said.

However, he and other kiai agreed with the government's program on Free Nutrition Food, because it also supports the fulfillment of nutrition and food for children.

He hopes that the realization of the program will not violate the rules, especially in Islamic law.

It is hoped that in the implementation of the program, it can use the right source of the financial budget and continue to side with the small people.

A number of NU kiai from East Java and Central Java held Bahtsul Masail which was held in Kediri City. In addition to discussing the government's program, we also discussed the NU program. Bahtsul Masail is led by mubahits KH Achmad Rosikh Roghibi and KH Lora Dimyati Muhammad, as well as Mushohhih KH Marzuki Mustamar.