The resolutions were read out in front of 300 participants from 28 countries and contained a statement calling for the strengthening of the global zakat movement.

As a platform for the movement, the WZF plays an important role in improving the accountability and management of zakat to improve the welfare of the ummah, including combating poverty.

"It is for these reasons that the WZF held the international conference with the theme ‘Strengthening Global Zakat Cooperation in Increasing the Welfare of the Ummah’," said Bambang who was accompanied by the WZF’s deputy secretary-generals.

The conference discussed various contemporary topics regarding the development of the global zakat, including Zakat and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Zakat Cooperation between Countries, Strengthening the Role of Global Zakat and Good Amil Governance, as well as Improving the Transparency and Accountability of Zakat Institutions.

The conference also acknowledged the increasing role of zakat in solving issues of global poverty and inequality. Moreover, the WZF proposed a new approach, incorporating the third pillar of Islam.

The 11 points in Resolusi Melaka 2018 are as follow:

1. The philosophy and core values or zakat should become the driving force in increasing the welfare of the ummah

2. Zakat should be seen as the source of supplementary financial resources for achieving the SDGs.

3. The role of zakat in combating poverty and furthering social inclusion should be improved.

4. The WZF appeals to all members to adopt zakat as an important policy instrument in developing socioeconomic elements in their respective countries.

5. The WZF encourages all members to adopt:

a) Zakat Core Principles (ZCP) to improve the quality of the management of zakat.

b) The principles of Risk Management in Zakat Institutions (RMZI).

c) The principles of Good Amil Governance on Zakat Management (GAGZM).

6. All WZF members are required to practice transparency and accountability in publishing their reports to the public.

7. The WZF encourages stronger cooperation and networking between WZF members.

8. The WZF encourages strengthening the capacity of the Zakat Management Organizations (ZMO) in Muslim-minority countries.

9. WZF members extended their deepest condolences to the victims of natural disasters that struck West Nusa Tenggara and Central Sulawesi and conveying deep compassion and sympathy to those afflicted by conflicts, such as the Rohingya, Palestinians and other communities around the world. The WZF appealed for collective action to restore and rehabilitate those who are afflicted by these conflicts.

10. The conference asked all Muslim countries, including IOC members, and zakat organizations in Muslim-minority countries to join the WZF.

11. The WZF reasserts its willingness to cooperate with developing countries in eradicating poverty through financing schemes based on the combination of zakat and donations from developing countries.

“May Allah SWT grace us all with blessings in our endeavors to advance the global zakat movement for a better future for the ummah," Bambang said in his closing remarks.

At the conference, the WZF accepted 10 new members -- Australia, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Ghana, Maldives, Senegal, Liberia, Togo, Benin and Sierra Leone -- bringing the number to 33.

The idea of founding the WZF was the result of a rising need for a global zakat movement. At the WZF meeting in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, in 2007, Indonesia was appointed to host the first conference. The forum was officially established three years later on Sept. 30 in Yogyakarta.

In the beginning, it was attended by nine representatives from international zakat organizations hailing from Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Jordan, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

 At the first conference, Prof. Dr. K.H. Didin Hafidhuddin was appointed as its first secretary-general, a position he held until 2013. The next secretary-general was Dr. Ahmad Juwaini who held the post until last year. Bambang was appointed in March last year.

The WZF is expected  to formulate effective solutions for the multidimensional problems faced by the Muslim world: First, the essence of zakat should not only be about eradicating poverty and disadvantages, but also about empowering the ummah; second, zakat should be able to lessen social and economic constraints faced by the ummah; third, zakat should help create the welfare for the ummah; fourth, zakat should help influence the Muslim world; and, fifth, zakat should play a role in advancing the glory of Islam globally.

The WZF connects activists, experts, researchers and academia, as well as various organizations committed to developing and promoting the practices of zakat on the global stage.

The WZF’s organizational structure:

Secretary-General

• Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, MBA CA
• Deputy-Secretary Generals
• Saleh Ali Alawaji, Ph.D
• Elnur Salihovic, Ph.D
• Abdeslam Ballaji, Ph.D
• Muhammad Lawal Maidoki
• Shaikh Abdurraziq Mukhtar
• Muhammad Ayub Miah, Ph.D
• Haji Ahmad Shukri Yusoff

Executive Secretary

• Irfan Syauqi Beik, Ph. D

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