BAZNAS Calls for Modern Philanthropy Literacy to Strengthen Zakat Culture Among Young Indonesians

Rizaludin Kurniawan, a leader at Indonesia’s National Zakat Agency, says young people need a more modern understanding of Islamic philanthropy to strengthen the country’s culture of zakat, infak and sedekah.

He raised the issue while appearing as a guest at an Inspiration Session during the 13th Hari Bermuhammadiyah event at Cendekia Building, Muhammadiyah University Jakarta, in South Tangerang, on Saturday, September 6, 2026.

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BAZNAS research since 2020, 2022 and 2024 has found a crucial problem: a gap between people’s knowledge and their behavior in paying zakat. This gap between knowledge and behavior can be measured.

Rizaludin said the need for stronger literacy emerged from a persistent gap between what people know about zakat and how they act. “BAZNAS research since 2020, 2022 and 2024 has found a crucial problem: a gap between people’s knowledge and their behavior in paying zakat,” he said. “This gap between knowledge and behavior can be measured.”

He said the issue deserves attention because the number of people fulfilling their zakat obligations remains relatively small compared with Indonesia’s zakat potential. In an experiment involving members of Generation Z, he asked about the difference between zakat, infak and sedekah. Many did not know. He also said many were unfamiliar with how to pay zakat fitrah and calculate zakat mal, calling the situation a personal concern.

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I asked members of Generation Z about the difference between zakat, infak and sedekah. Many of them did not know.