Strategic Role of Zakat in Disadvantaged Regions of Indonesia: Results From Survey 2016 Proceeding: 4th Asean Waqf Seminar (IQLIMI) 2017, Malaysia

Abstract

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam which has a function of faith, social and economic. Muslims who are able to pay it required to give at least 2.5% from their wealth. The problem of poverty prevalent in disadvantaged regions because of the difficulty of access to information and communication led to a gap that is so high in wealth and resources. The instruments of Zakah provide a paradigm in the achievement of equitable wealth distribution and healthy circulation. Zakah potentially builds a better life and enhance the quality of the human being. There is a human quality  improvement  not  only  in  economic  terms  but  also  in  spiritual  terms  such  improving religious. This study aims to examine the role of zakah to alleviate humanitarian issues in disadvantaged regions which conducted in Sijunjung, one of zakat beneficiaries and disadvantaged regions in Indonesia. The researcher attempted a Cibest method to depict the impact of zakat beneficiaries before and after becoming a member of ZCD Program in material and spiritual value. The overall analysis shows that Zakat has a positive impact on disadvantaged regions development and  enhance  the  quality  of  humanitarian.  There  is  an  enhancement  in  the  average  mustahik household incomes after becoming a member of ZCD Program. Cibest model demonstrates that Material, spiritual, and absolute poverty index decreased by 10, 5, and 6 percent. Meanwhile, the welfare index is increased by 21 percent. These findings have important implications for humanitarian issues in disadvantaged regions in Indonesia.