T

he fasting month of Ramadhan is about resisting temptations — ego trips being one of them. Muslims are constantly reminded, especially ahead of Idul Fitri, about their obligation to give alms to the needy.

Hence the satisfaction is great when one can give a bit of cash and food for the poor to grovel over after long lines in the scorching sun. But let us not forget that poor people have been trampled to death to get free food donations in several incidents in recent years.

Nor should we forget the sad reports of young and old people dying or almost suffocating in the scrum for cash handouts from rich individuals.

Nevertheless, some good news about the rise of Indonesia’s pious well-to-do is an increasing awareness of their duty to responsibly channel alms. Some Muslims opt to continue family traditions of paying alms to their neighborhood mosques, who they feel best know the needy in their communities.

Those entrusted to distribute the alms are also well known to the community, thus the givers trust that part of their wealth and income will reach the poor.

Another option to channel alms that has risen in the past 10 years has been to use professionally managed private alms management organizations, notably Dompet Dhuafa, initially part of the Islamic-leaning Republika daily. Another channel is government-run BAZNAS, or the National Alms Agency, which also seems to be gaining credibility in its task to distribute alms.

Optimists say if every able Muslim donated the mandatory minimum of 2.5 percent of his or her annual wealth, Indonesia’s absolute poverty problem would be solved.

The organizations have collected an estimated Rp 200 trillion (US$21 billion) to be distributed to millions of people living under the poverty line, not to mention the aid delivered through informal channels, such as neighborhood mosques.

Debate still abounds over the zakat (alms) management law, which covers the details of registering zakat groups, relevant penalties and tax deductions for giving.

However what is important is for people to trust their chosen alms management bodies — trust being a rare asset here. The popularity of Dompet Dhuafa inspired increased professionalism in similar private and public alms management agencies.

Its sustained credibility with the public reflects progress from the days of the New Order regime, when people had little faith in government-run alms agencies.

Today’s well-to-do Muslims love to consume costly Islamic fashions besides studying how to become better Muslims. Moving away from giving away cash and food needed to meet the needs of one or two days, many are seeking how they might more effectively empower the poor.

This is the more exciting challenge for alms management bodies, who now publish financial reports and reports on the thousands of beneficiaries of their scholarships and loans.

Alms managers remind us however, that often “empowering” the poor is a luxurious concept when it comes to those who don’t know where the next meal comes from. Paying the mandatory annual alms and the seasonal zakat fitrah (the alms to be distributed to the poor before Idul Fitri prayers) is a tiny, but essential, contribution of Indonesia’s predominantly Muslim population to their fellow citizens.