Bali Baznas Chairman Yunus Naim said early payments prevent distribution or collection from overlapping with Nyepi, ensuring religious activities proceed without disruption.
He added early payments are needed because the date for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri has not yet been confirmed, complicating timing for distribution.
Baznas initially planned final collection by 10 p.m. local time during takbiran night to allow adequate distribution before Eid.
However, Yunus said authorities could declare Eid on March 20, while Nyepi falls on March 19, limiting movement and communication on the island.
“To avoid delays, we urge Muslims to complete zakat payments before Nyepi, effectively by tomorrow,” he said Tuesday in Denpasar.
Baznas has conveyed the guidance to mosques, prayer rooms, and Islamic foundations across Bali, reinforcing efforts to maintain interfaith harmony on the predominantly Hindu island.
At Baznas Bali’s office, zakat collection began on the fourth day of Ramadan, with distribution starting last week to accelerate the process.
Most Muslims in Bali now pay via digital platforms or cash, making the process faster and more efficient, Yunus said.
He estimated roughly 20 million rupiah (US$1,280) in cash had been collected, along with 1,350 five-kilogram sacks of rice, priced around 80,000 rupiah each.
That brings the total value of distributed zakat to about 128 million rupiah, excluding contributions from Baznas’ wider network.
Baznas sets the zakat al-fitr contribution at 54,000 rupiah per person or three kilograms of rice.
The aid will reach around 6,800 beneficiaries across Bali, mainly in Denpasar and Badung, where larger Muslim populations reside.
Yunus said accelerating collection is feasible, but reaching Muslims at their workplaces remains challenging, affecting local distribution benefits.
He added that improving zakat literacy is crucial, as Bali’s Muslim population is dispersed, limiting collection efficiency, even though maximized contributions strengthen social cohesion and harmony across communities.
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Translator: Ni Putu PM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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