The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Joko Widodo together with Vice President Mr. Ma'ruf Amin and several of ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet submitted zakat through the National Board of Zakat (BAZNAS) at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday 13 March 2024. At the location, officers from BAZNAS were already sitting at their respective service desks. The tables are lined up and opposite the seats of the ministers and heads of institutions. The President Mr. Jokowi, Vice President Mr. Ma'ruf Amin, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Mr. Muhadjir Effendy, and Chairman of BAZNAS RI Mr. Noor Achmad sat at the front.

Before the handover began, Mr. Noor Achmad and President Mr. Jokowi first delivered their remarks and directions. Mr. Jokowi said that giving zakat is an obligation of every Muslim as a form of gratitude and thanks for the countless blessings bestowed by Allah SWT. "By giving zakat, we strengthen the foundation of faith, help the poor, purify the soul from miserliness, and increase inner peace," Mr. Jokowi said at the State Palace. He also advised that the collected zakat funds be channelled right on target to zakat recipients (mustahik). "Distributed to people who really need it, giving happiness to mustahik and peace to muzakki (zakat givers)," Jokowi explained.

After that, Mr. Jokowi immediately went to one of the officer's tables that had been available, as well as Mr. Ma'ruf Amin. Both of them sat next to each other while writing and receiving a sign of zakat submission. Then, the ministers followed Mr. Jokowi and Mr. Ma'ruf Amin's steps to hand over the zakat after the Head of State and his deputy finished.

The ministers seen at the handover ceremony were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Mr. Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Tito Karnavian, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mr. Sandiaga Uno, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Mr. Suharso Monoarfa, Minister of Investment Mr. Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Transportation Mr. Budi Karya Sumadi, and Minister of Defence Mr. Prabowo Subianto. Then, Presidential Chief of Staff Mr. Moeldoko, Minister of ATR/Head of BPN Mr. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of Communication and Information Mr. Budi Arie Setiadi, Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Mr. Nasaruddin Umar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Mr. Saiful Rahmat Dasuki, Minister of Manpower Ms. Ida Fauziyah, and Attorney General Mr. ST Burhanuddin.

 Souce: Kompas.com (13/03/2024)

Rep. PUSKAS  BAZNAS