MUI member arrested, people told to carefully choose infak institutions

Jakarta, NU Online

One of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) members Ahmad Zain An-Najah was arrested by Densus 88 for funding the terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI). On this stand, the lecturer at the Faculty of Sharia and Law at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Mustholih Siradj, called on people to be careful in distributing money given in the form of infaq and alms to charity boxes.

 

The people are also advised to be wiser in distributing money, in order to prevent the misuse of funds that are used by irresponsible groups to carry out acts of terrorism.

 

"The public must be selective in looking at foundations or public fund-raising institutions. As much as possible, please distribute infaq and alms through verified official institutions such as the National Amil Zakat Agency, which is already available in every regency and city," said Mustolih when interviewed by NU Online via telephone, Friday ( 19/11/2021).

 

He hoped the issue of philanthropic donations does not widen and public confidence in the world of zakat does not collapse, it is necessary to take measured and decisive steps. First, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag RI) needs to conduct a moratorium within a certain period of time permitting the amil zakat institution (LAZ) at every level, from the district to the center.

 

"At the same time, (Kemenag) is conducting a re-audit including financial audits, institutions, sharia compliance to LAZs that are already licensed and orienting all LAZ management to be loyal to the Republic of Indonesia," he advised.

 

Second, he continued, the Ministry of Religious Affairs must proactively cooperate with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to monitor and supervise the management of zakat institution donation flows.

 

"The issue that is currently being handled by the Police has become a valuable lesson for structuring philanthropic institutions so that they are committed to maintaining their trust and not abusing it, especially for terrorism activities whose impact is very broad and will harm many parties," explained the Chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Lawyers Forum (IILF).

 

Third, he added, the Ministry of Religious Affairs together with BAZNAS as the state institution responsible for the management of national zakat could set standards for public information disclosure of institutional activities and the management of philanthropic funds managed by each LAZ as a public legal entity that could be accessed by the wider community at any time. This includes the profiles and backgrounds of their administrators.

 

"Those three things are preventive measures so that the philanthropic climate in the country remains conducive and still gets the public trust," Mustolih Siradj said.

 

Based on information compiled by NU Online from several sources, the JI group collects funds from foundations and businesses as follows: First, the Abdurrohman bin Auf Amil Zakat Institution (LAZ ABA) is headquartered in Jakarta and is suspected of deliberately having official permission from the government.

 

However, after being found to be affiliated with the terrorist organization JI, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) officially revoked its permit since January 29, 2021. The revocation of the permit was stated in the Decree of the Head of Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of DKI Jakarta No. 103 of 2021 concerning the Revocation of Permit for Abdurrohman bin Auf Amil Zakat Institution. Furthermore, the institution is known to have 13 branches in various provinces in Indonesia, one of which is in Lampung Province.

 

Second, the Syam Organizer or SO, the form of fundraising is carried out through several programs, including water for Syam, namely by sending clean water to Palestine and now having three springs in Syria. Then, Safe the Children OF Syam in Syria and Palestine. There is also a Wintee Aid Project by providing firewood, jackets and building houses in Syria.

 

It doesn't stop there, SO also has a sacrifice program for Syam, Ramadhan cares for Syam, Syam bread factory, emergency relief and Syam productive assistance.

 

Third, the One Care Humanitarian Institution, is still being investigated by the police. Fourth, the Madina Foundation. The proceeds from the collection of money used to fund JI are estimated at IDR 20.3 billion.

 

Contributor: Syifa Arrahmah

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq