Inauguration of the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution by the Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia: A Strategic Step in Strengthening Islamic Economy and Community Empowerment

The Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Nasaruddin Umar, is scheduled to inaugurate the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution at the Darunnajah Islamic Institutes in Jakarta on Monday, March 17, 2025. Dr. Sofwan Manaf, the Director of the Darunnajah Islamic Institutes, stated that they are ready to welcome the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. He added, "We have prepared everything well. The inauguration of the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution is a significant trust that we will carry with full responsibility," as he stated in a press release on Sunday, March 16, 2025. He emphasized that this event marks a new beginning for the role of Islamic institutes in managing religious social funds at the national level, and it reaffirms the government's support for strengthening zakat institutions based in Islamic institutes. Sofwan explained that the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution is under the Darunnajah Sejahtera Mandiri Foundation and focuses on managing Islamic and social finance. He said, "This institution comes to enhance and expand the vision and mission of the foundation by professionally and transparently managing zakat, charity, donations, and other religious social funds (DSKL)." Sofwan expressed his hope that the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution will contribute to increasing zakat collection through innovative programs focusing on four main areas: empowering the Islamic economy, developing education, humanitarian social programs, and Islamic outreach. He added, "The inauguration of a national zakat institution based in Islamic institutes like Darunnajah is a strategic step to maximize the potential of national zakat." He noted that the Darunnajah Islamic Institutes, with their network of students and alumni, possess strong social capital to reach communities even in remote areas. For reference, the Darunnajah Islamic Institutes have 23 branches of Islamic institutes and oversee 66 educational units ranging from early childhood education to university level. The number of students at Darunnajah schools is approximately 13,000. The inauguration of the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution by the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia is expected to inspire more Islamic institutes to maximize their role in community empowerment. Sofwan added, "Modernizing zakat management through digitalization is one of the key focuses of the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution." He affirmed that this approach responds to the challenges of the digital era while ensuring transparency and accountability in managing community funds. Sofwan stated that a data-driven management system is expected to enhance public trust in zakat institutions based in Islamic institutes. He concluded by saying, "The establishment of the Darunnajah National Zakat Institution is an important part of the collaboration to achieve Indonesia's Golden Vision 2045." writer: Imam Khairul Annas, MA.