JAKARTA – From Villages, for Indonesia's Islamic Economy"

Ciamis, September 30, 2025 – BAZNAS, through the Directorate of Research and Development of ZIS-DSKL, participated in the School of Syariah (SOS) and the Islamic Financial Inclusion Center Ecosystem (EPIKS) held in Ciamis, West Java. The event, which took place at Hotel Tyara Plaza, was attended by more than 120 participants, including religious instructors, village heads, representatives of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Zakat Collection Units (UPZ), Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), and local cooperatives.

The event was officially opened by Rudi, S.E., Regional Assistant I of Ciamis Regency, representing the Regent of Ciamis, Dr. H. Herdiat Sunarya. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of synergy between local government, zakat institutions, BUMDes, and village communities in building an inclusive Islamic economic ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of BAZNAS Ciamis, H. Lili Miftah, highlighted that this initiative plays a strategic role in improving the welfare of mustahik and strengthening the National Zakat Index. He underlined that zakat should be viewed not merely as charity, but as a powerful instrument of national development—one that, fittingly, is being strengthened from Tatar Galuh Ciamis as a starting point.

During the panel session, speakers from DSN-MUI, OJK, KNEKS, BAZNAS, KDEKS West Java, Bank Syariah Indonesia, and Pegadaian Syariah delivered materials on the fundamentals of Islamic finance, Islamic financial products and services, and strategies to strengthen the role of UPZ and BUMDes as agents of Islamic financial inclusion.

This initiative is expected to foster local educators and agents of Islamic financial services at the village level. Their presence will help expand access to sharia-compliant services, strengthen the role of zakat, and contribute to poverty alleviation within the community.