Globalizing zakat assistance for humanitarian crisis: issues and challenges

• Main Authors: Abdul Rahim, Rabiatul Adawiyah, Mohd. Zain, Nor Razinah, Syed Azman, Syed Marwan Mujahid, Engku Ali, Engku Rabiah Adawiah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: Akademi Pengajian Islam Kontemporari, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. 2020
• Subjects: BPH531 Zakat; H Social Sciences (General); K Law (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/96387/9/Globalizing%20zakat%20assistance%20for%20humanitarian%20crisis.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96387/10/96387_Globalizing%20zakat%20assistance%20for%20humanitarian%20crisis.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96387/; https://news.uitm.edu.my/conference-on-zakat-waqf-and-islamic-philanthropy-zawfi-2020/

Zakat is a mandatory alms-giving that formed as a part of Muslims’ obligation. It is made compulsory for those who have the means to carry it out. It promotes the production of human capital and improves economic growth, and is a form of wealth redistribution. Islam has placed, more specifically the Islamic finance, an emphasis on Zakat as an important socio-economic tool. Lately, Zakat receives a growth of attention for its potentials. With the existence of frequent humanitarian crisis such as the refugee crisis, there is a call for a better utilization of Zakat at the global landscape. Looking closely to the latest development, this research looks closely to the issues and challenges in globalizing Zakat for the humanitarian assistance and overcoming the refugee crisis. This research adopts the qualitative research methodology and doctrinal legal analysis. It is found that issues and challenges in globalizing Zakat for humanitarian assistance are inter-related. Such issues and challenges may be differed from one country to another country. A comprehensive structured governance, the regulatory framework, human capital, the effective collection and distribution of Zakat, a strong trust from Muslims to the Zakat institutions or a specific collector, and the efficient collaboration between countries are needed in globalizing Zakat for the humanitarian assistance.