Meeting the Speaker of Parliament, FEM IPB University Ready to Help Develop Zakat in Thailand

One of the growing Islamic social finance instruments is zakat. This is reflected in the global trend that indicates an increase in zakat collection globally. In addition, the zakat movement internationally, gathers and consolidates through the WZWF (World Zakat and Waqf Forum) institution.

Thailand is the 43rd country to join the WZWF, at the 2023 WZWF Annual Meeting in Kedah, Malaysia. However, Thailand does not yet have a zakat institution that operates on a national scale and only has a waqf institution, one of which was able to establish a waqf mall named ASEAN Mall in the Pattani region.

In a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament or House of Representatives (DPR) of Thailand, HE Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM) IPB University, Dr Irfan Syauqi Beik, expressed his readiness to help develop zakat institutions in Thailand.

“Of course FEM is not alone, but in collaboration with WZWF where WZWF will provide full support for the establishment of the zakat institution,” said Irfan on 20/12.

Dr Irfan, who is also the Deputy Secretary General of WZWF added that the role of FEM IPB University is more on strengthening the scientific side of zakat, such as providing training on ZCP (Zakat Core Principles), training on the Center for Islamic Business and Economic Studies (CIBEST) Model as a poverty and welfare measurement tool, as well as training on the development of a national zakat index.

“WZWF through its network of zakat and waqf institutions, will technically assist the establishment of zakat institutions in Thailand through a variety of core activities, ranging from the collection, management, distribution and accountability of zakat,” he said.

In addition, the Speaker of the Thai Parliament who is also the head of the Senate of Fatoni University Thailand, hopes to strengthen cooperation in the field of education. “Alhamdulillah, the meeting went well, and God willing, it will be continued with technical talks,” concluded Irfan.

“We hope that this will encourage the optimal utilisation of zakat in Thailand, because the Muslim community in Thailand really needs the existence of zakat institutions,” said the Chairman of the Thai Parliament, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

During the meeting, Dr Worawit Baru, Member of the Thai Parliament, Vice Deans of FEM Dr Anna Fariyanti and Dr Lukytawati Anggraeni, as well as representatives of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, namely Education and Culture Attaché Dr Achmad Wicaksono and Secretary 1 Pensosbud Tinus Zainal were also present. (*/Lp) (IAAS/RUM)