Banda Aceh Appoints Village Charity Boards to Boost Zakat Management

Banda Aceh city officials have officially inaugurated village-level Baitul Mal management committees, a strategic move to bolster the governance of Islamic charitable funds. This initiative aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of Zakat, Infak, Sedekah, and Waqf (ZISWAF) collection and distribution.

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The village Baitul Mal officials hold a great trust in managing the zakat potential in their respective areas. It must be managed professionally, transparently, and responsibly so that it gains more trust from the community.

Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal highlighted the substantial zakat potential residing within villages. She stressed the need for clear identification and databases of donors, recipients, and collectors to ensure transparent management. "The village Baitul Mal officials hold a great trust in managing the zakat potential in their respective areas," Illiza stated, emphasizing the importance of professional, transparent, and responsible handling of these funds to foster public confidence.

To streamline operations, Banda Aceh is actively encouraging the digitalization of ZISWAF management. The city is developing digital applications that will allow citizens to contribute through WhatsApp and QRIS. This digital system is expected to facilitate transactions, integrate donor and recipient data, and ensure more targeted and efficient aid distribution. "If this can be managed as well as possible with the community, community leaders, and the village heads, God willing, the welfare of the village community will be better in the future," Illiza added.

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There are many challenges. One of them is that potential donors do not yet fully trust the village Baitul Mal.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Marwan Usman, head of the Baitul Mal Gampong Punge Blang Cut, identified building public trust as a primary hurdle. "There are many challenges. One of them is that potential donors do not yet fully trust the village Baitul Mal," he admitted. To address this, his committee plans to intensify outreach through religious leaders and maintain transparent management practices, hoping to increase the number of donors and optimize the distribution of funds to those in need, particularly the poor.

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If this can be managed as well as possible with the community, community leaders, and the village heads, God willing, the welfare of the village community will be better in the future.