The National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) is again holding the 6th International Zakat Conference or The 6th Indonesian Conference of Zakat (ICONZ) 2022 with the theme "Escalation of Economic Recovery for Strong and Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth through More Inclusive Zakat Management".
The conference was held at the Main Auditorium of UIN Walisongo Semarang, Central Java, and broadcast live via the BAZNAS TV YouTube channel on 30 November - 1 December 2022. The 6th ICONZ was opened by Deputy Minister of Religion Dr. H. Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi (present online), Head of BAZNAS RI Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Achmad MA, as well as Deputy Governor of Central Java HE. Taj Yasin Maimun.
"The 6th ICONZ activity is a meeting place between practitioners, academics, and professionals in formulating strategies for poverty alleviation and sustainable development through zakat funds," said Head of BAZNAS RI Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Ahmad MA.
Noor said that efforts to restore the economy for resilient and sustainable socio-economic growth are essential after the global economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Deepening the issue regarding the steps that need to be taken as well as what challenges and obstacles will be faced in managing social impacts and economic measures and for a sustainable and inclusive recovery," he explained.
Therefore, Noor hopes that the results of the discussion of The 6th ICONZ can become recommendations that can be applied in the management of LPZ (Zakat Management Institutions) so that the collection, distribution and utilization of zakat funds can build community resilience, especially mustahik amid a pandemic and also open opportunities for welfare for mustahik.
"The efforts we are making to create economic power from zakat must be continuously developed. Therefore, I hope that through this conference, we can produce how we can elaborate and strengthen how zakat in Indonesia is even stronger," he concluded.
Deputy Minister of Religion Dr. H. Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi said this ICONZ activity was appropriate. Although according to him, zakat has played a role in development, the practice of zakat has become part of the social system as a complement to national development measures.
"We need to discuss how zakat is managed. Synergy and cooperation are necessary to support the optimization of zakat management. This is where the urgency of cooperation needs to be developed at national and international levels," he explained.
He hopes ICONZ 2022 will further strengthen the missionary vision, which aligns with the government's image. "Unity will further strengthen our steps in preaching and development. Therefore we must continue to work together and synergize."
On this occasion, Deputy Governor of Central Java HE Taj Yasin Maimoen also expressed appreciation for holding The 6th ICONZ 2022.
The 6th ICONZ also invited prominent ministers, scholars and researchers in Indonesia. In addition, some sessions presented regulators and practitioners in the field of zakat management, both from regulators, operators and Zakat Management Institutions both from within and outside the country.
This prestigious zakat conference was held in collaboration with the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS RI), Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia (KEMENAG RI), Central Java Provincial Government, BAZNAS Central Java Province, Walisongo State Islamic University (UIN) Semarang, Wahid Hasyim University Semarang, and the NU Islamic University of Jepara.
Rep: Puskas BAZNAS