“If we look at the figures, whether from almsgiving, voluntary charity, and donations, based on Baznas’ survey, the estimated potential is around Rp6.56 trillion,” Baznas' Head of Distribution and Utilization Saidah Sakwan remarked.
Speaking at the 2025 Mosque Symposium and National Workshop of the Mosque Welfare Board held in Jakarta on Tuesday, Sakwan acknowledged several challenges in ensuring ZIS' optimal impact on community empowerment.
She pointed out that one key issue is accountability and transparency, especially in the recording and reporting of fund usage to the public.
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“In fact, the circulation of community funds in mosques is significant if we consolidate it. The challenge is how to manage them in an accountable and transparent way, so they can have an optimal impact on empowering the community,” she remarked.
Sakwan affirmed that some mosques still lack integrated financial reporting systems and do not provide open reports to their congregations. As a result, the potential of these funds had yet to be fully realized to support poverty alleviation and education, as well as strengthen the community’s economy.
Hence, she encouraged mosques to improve their professional management systems, including utilizing technology to simplify record-keeping and reporting while adhering to existing regulations on ZIS collection and distribution.
“With transparency and accountability, these substantial public funds from the community can be better managed for programs that directly address the needs of the community,” she remarked.
Looking ahead, she expressed hope that the potential circulation of community funds in mosques could evolve into a real economic force for the community while also strengthening the role of mosques as centers for grassroots empowerment through professional and accountable management.
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Translator: Tri Meilani Ameliya, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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