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ID
ACTNews, JAKARTA – The Covid-19 pandemic has been sweeping through Indonesia
for over half a year. The outbreak not only affects health but also various
other aspects of life, including economy. Several efforts have been made to
restore the declining economic condition to prevent a wider impact.
As a
humanitarian institution, Aksi Cepat Tanggap, through Global Wakaf, also
strives to bring best assistance to the community during the pandemic. Using
waqf funds managed by Global Wakaf, various initiatives were made, one of which
is the provision of capital assistance to MSME owners through Waqf for Micro
Business Capital program.
From August 21
to November 7, over 1,100 business owners have received capital assistance. The
kinds of business vary from food producers to food and beverages. They come
from 44 cities / regencies in 22 provinces throughout Indonesia.
"This program is funded by waqf funds managed by Global Wakaf – ACT. One may ask, ‘how can waqf funds be utilized as business capital?’ The answer to that question is that we maintain the principal of the funds as it will be repaid by our beneficiaries,” explained Wahyu Nur Alim from the Global Wakaf-ACT team, Tuesday (11/10).
A farmer in Sigi showing his fruitful crop. The land is irrigated through
the Agricultural Waqf Well that ACT built in Sigi. (ACTNews)
In addition to
the capital assistance, Global Wakaf also initiated a program to support
Indonesian farmers, namely the Masyarakat
Produsen Pangan Indonesia (Indonesian Food Producer Society/MPPI). The
program serves as a means to assist farmers through waqf funds. By November,
there are already 7 MPPI chapter with the total member of 303 farmers. This
program reflects the multiple uses of waqf that can benefit many.
The rice from
the farms that are supported by waqf funds is partly used for ACT’s staple
distribution program, including the SKPI and BERISI programs. From March 19 to
November 7, around 250,000 kilograms of Waqf Rice have been distributed to the
needy in in 57 cities and regencies. Over 23,000 kilograms of Waqf Rice have benefitted
Islamic boarding schools throughout Indonesia.
"Through
the SKPI and BERISI Programs alone, we have benefitted 225,000 people, and the
beneficiaries will grow as the programs go on,” explained Danu Putra Anugrah
from Global Wakaf-ACT, Tuesday (11/10).
Besides food,
waqf funds has also been utilized to support drinking water production. Global
Wakaf – ACT produces and distributes free drinking water named the Waqf
Drinking Water. The waqf drinking water is available to the public at several
public locations such as Islamic boarding schools, mosques, and madrasas.
Global Wakaf
also provides clean water through the Waqf Well program that includes public
water wells, family wells, and agricultural wells. The main beneficiaries of this
program are communities in drought-stricken areas, such as Gunungkidul in the
southern part of Yogyakarta Province. In this regency, drought is prevalent.
The soil consists of mostly limestone, making it difficult to dig water wells.
It takes tens to hundreds of meters to reach the water sources.
Danu added, Global
Wakaf’s products and programs reflects the massive roles of waqf in reviving
the economy. "Waqf is part of Islamic acts of worship that also serves to
improve the economy of the people through its productive implementation. Global
Wakaf invites all elements of the nation to contribute in this acts of
kindness," said Danu. []
