Muslims give Rp 19.3t a year

Wed, 09/17/2008 10:26 AM | National

JAKARTA: Alms and other donations given by Indonesian Muslims amount to Rp 19.3 trillion per year -- but the large amount is still unable to help lift other people out of poverty, said a book launched here Tuesday.

"The fantastic amount contradicts the condition of Indonesian Muslims currently living in poverty," the book said, quoting recent research conducted by the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture (CSRC) at Jakarta's Islamic State University (UIN).

It said only 5 to 7 percent of the donations, including alms and tithes, were channeled to modern Islamic philanthropic institutions for "productive and sustainable management".

"The rest of the funds are distributed directly by people to recipients, which ironically tends to create a reliance (by the poor) and sustains poverty," it added.

The book, Philanthropy in Islamic Society, was written by CSRC researcher Ahmad Gaus AF, and launched by the center in cooperation with the Asia Foundation and the Kompas daily.

The UIN rector said public awareness of making donations through modern and credible institutions should be raised among Muslims in order to increase Islamic philanthropy and promote social justice in the country. --JP

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