Islam’s requirement that Muslims share with the unfortunate during Ramadan creates a big question: What is the best way to give to the poor?
The question is valid since many Ramadan alms distributions have led to injuries and fatalities in Jakarta.
The capital has recorded several incidents in recent years that started with the distribution of alms and ended in chaos and injury.
Last year, the distribution of free gifts at City Hall in advance of Idul Fitri ended in a free-for-all that injured dozens and sent two to the hospital.
In 2008, dozens of Jakartans were injured in a rush to get charity parcels containing Rp 20,000 (US$2.22) in cash, staple foods and snacks.
The worst incident was in 2003, when three women died in a stampede during the distribution of alms by a Muslim cleric in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.
The injuries and deaths have taught people the importance of matching their good intentions with equally good distribution methods.
Under zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, adults are required to donate part of their wealth to the poor and less fortunate.
People today may give alms in many ways, from traditional mechanisms such as donating directly to mosques, to more contemporary ways, such as giving coupons to the poor that can be bartered for goods.
Many condemn the latest methods, saying they degrade the human spirit because the methods treat poor people like beggars. This method is also believed to be prone to tragedy.
The Jakarta administration has learned from those incidents and no longer organizes such events, but instead distributes alms through subdistrict offices.
Individuals and businesses have followed suit to avoid mishaps.
State gas distributor PGN uses internal channels to distribute alms as part of its Idul Fitri charity programs.
“We distribute money to foundations or orphanages that are already familiar to the company,” PGN spokeswoman Sri Wahyuni said, adding that it helped to insulate the company from the chaos of alms distribution.
Sri said that another benefit was a guarantee that donations would reach the right people.
State-owned Bank Mandiri also uses the same method, bank spokesman Iskandar Tumbuan said.
“We are aware of the risks so we will not hand out alms in a way that can incur chaos,” Iskandar said, adding that the policy was part of the company’s decision to follow government instructions to ban state-owned companies from inviting the poor to visit offices to receive cash and donations.
Besides giving donations to organizations or foundations, the government has also asked individuals and businesses to donate alms through Bazis, the city-run charity organization.
“It is up to individuals if they want to give to third-party institutions or to distribute alms directly,” city spokesman Cucu Ahmad Kurnia said, adding that the administration could only warn people about the potential downside of direct distribution.
The administration cannot prevent people from giving directly to the needy, as some believe in that method’s good intentions, he said.
“By demonstrating to others that you give to the poor, it is expected to encourage others to do the same. Others believe that when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” he added.
Despite debates on which method is right, the beneficiaries only hope that whatever they get will not cause trouble to their lives.
“Who will refuse if someone offers you money?” said Jaqob, a street vendor.
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