Baznas Reexamines Riqab Asnaf to Tackle Modern Slavery
The National Zakat Board (Baznas) is deepening its study of the riqab asnaf to respond to social challenges like human trafficking, labor exploitation, and debt bondage. Baznas Vice Chairman Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi emphasized the need to reconstruct the concept of riqab in contemporary fiqh so it stays relevant in distributing zakat, infaq, and sadaqah.
Zainut cited modern slavery examples such as human trafficking, victims of labor and sexual exploitation, oppressed migrant workers, and those trapped by illegal online loans. Baznas is committed to working with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and scholars to create regulations that protect victims’ rights.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Director of Islamic Affairs and Sharia Development, Arsad Hidayat, noted that zakat allocation for riqab remains minimal because public understanding is limited to classical slavery. He pushed for reinterpreting the verse’s meaning and coordinating with the Indonesian Ulema Council for a fatwa, ensuring zakat funds are optimized to address social issues.
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