UNAIR NEWS “ The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute a set of objectives established by the United Nations (UN) to achieve a better and more sustainable life for all. Indonesia is among the countries that continuously advocate and support SDGs programs.Ìý
In his address at the Zakat & LMI Award Seminar held at the Soepoyo Hall, (FEB) Airlangga (UNAIR) on Saturday, March 2, 2024, Agung Witjaksono, the President Director of Laznas LMI, mentioned that Islam plays a significant role in realizing these SDGs programs through zakat. However, what is the relationship between zakat and SDGs? And what are the challenges it faces? Let’s delve into these issues together.Ìý
Relations between SDGs and ZakatÌý
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and a financial obligation imposed on financially capable Muslims to cleanse one’s wealth from negative traits such as greed and avarice. Bayu Arie Fianto, the Head of UNAIR’s SDGs, explained that zakat could contribute to realizing SDGs programs through the Islamic Social Justice (ISF) scheme.
“Islamic Social Justice is the Islamic community’s effort to ensure social justice in society. There are at least 4 ways zakat can contribute to achieving SDGs. The first is to help stabilize the economy of low-income individuals and small businesses, provide financial assistance to those in need, provide education and healthcare assistance, and promote community welfare through Baitul Maal,” said Bayu.
As an example, Bayu explained that Kuwait is a country that has successfully implemented the zakat scheme to realize these SDGs programs. Kuwait has been successful in sending its zakat to other countries due to its significant zakat surplus.
Lack of trust from the communityÌý
Many Muslims still consider zakat to be unimportant, although it is one of the pillars of Islam. Many wild assumptions circulate in society that the zakat they give will be misused by irresponsible individuals. However, as Bayu previously explained, zakat itself can help realize these SDGs programs.
“Nowadays, many people think that only prayer is important. However, Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. Many of them still cannot trust the existence of zakat institutions as to how their zakat money will be managed,” said Bayu.Ìý
Considering these challenges, Bayu also emphasizes that zakat institutions in Indonesia must be filled by academics and the best graduates available in Indonesia. It must be done promptly so that zakat institutions can create new opportunities and ideas to attract public interest in paying zakat and supporting SDGs programs.
Author: Naufal Hilmi F
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
