Indonesia Distributes Aid to Strengthen Faith Community's Economy

The National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of Indonesia, in collaboration with Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, has launched a significant economic empowerment initiative in Gresik, East Java. The program aims to bolster the financial independence of the community through Zmart Pesantren, BUMi Masjid, and Santripreneur initiatives.

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Since 2022, BAZNAS has allocated tens of billions of rupiah for the Zmart and BUMi Masjid programs, where specifically the East Java region has currently reached approximately 23 Zmart units and hundreds of mosques in various areas.

During an event at Pondok Pesantren Ihyaul Ulum Gresik, aid totaling Rp 861 million was distributed. This included Rp 350 million for seven Zmart Pesantren units, Rp 500 million for five mosques under the BUMi program, and Rp 21 million for the Santripreneur program, focusing on a circular economy-based empowerment garden. BAZNAS Chairman Sodik Mudjahid highlighted the program's focus on grassroots financial self-sufficiency.

Mudjahid stated that since 2022, BAZNAS has invested billions of rupiah in Zmart and BUMi Masjid programs, with East Java alone reaching approximately 23 Zmart units and hundreds of mosques. He emphasized the collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment and strategic coordination with the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs to expand micro-business financing. Nationally, the BUMi Masjid program has supported 213 mosques across 35 provinces, benefiting 10,641 individuals and stimulating the grassroots Islamic economy.

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Our hope is that through this assistance and capital strengthening, the beneficiaries in East Java will eventually be able to transform and experience a status increase from mustahik (recipients) to muzakki (donors).

Coordinating Minister Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar underscored the crucial role of Islamic boarding schools as a primary ecosystem for poverty alleviation and regional economic drivers. He asserted that pesantren possess the strongest and most rooted ecosystem for poverty reduction and empowerment. Asrorun Niam Sholeh, an official from Pondok Pesantren Ihyaul Ulum Gresik, welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a strategic step toward national self-reliance and expecting a multiplier effect on community welfare.

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There is no ecosystem that is stronger and more rooted than the pesantren in our country, so the ecosystem for poverty alleviation and empowerment that is very ready is the pesantren.