ISDEV INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING THE ZAKAT AGENDA FORWARD FOR PULAU PINANG

The participants of the Bengkel Sumbang Saran Pemikiran Hala Tuju Zakat Pulau Pinang.

ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh was given the honour to address the participants at the Bengkel Sumbang Saran Pemikiran Hala Tuju Zakat Pulau Pinang for the period of 2016-2020. The 4-days workshop organised by Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) was held from 23 to 26 March, 2016 at Cyberview Resort & Spa, Cyberjaya.

Away from home at a rather exclusive venue to fully capitalise the gems of ideas and suggestions
received for the betterment of the Muslims in Pulau Pinang through zakat. The personnel of  Zakat
Pulau Pinang engaged fully to the discussions held throughout the workshop.

The workshop was held to obtain new ideas for improvement and also to strengthen the current operations of ZPP as well as its operations for the next five years. All these are to be done with the main aim and hope that the effect from the resolution passed at this workshop could see its fruition thus providing benefits that can be directly felt and enjoyed by the Muslims in Pulau Pinang. Prof. Syukri as the sole main paper presenter of the workshop presented his paper on "Ekonomi Politik Zakat" (The Political Economy of Zakat).

Prof. Syukri deliver his main paper presentation on "Ekonomi Politik Zakat"
(The Political Economy of Zakat).

Prof. Syukri's proposal through his main paper presentation for ZPP's direction for 2016-2020 was based on the perspective of political economy. This proposal began with the belief that the economy is actually not free from political influence, and politicians are actually not free from the influence of the economy. Interaction between economic and political influence each other which leads to certain phenomena, including the management and development of zakat. The phenomenon of management and development of zakat that have been identified through the perspective of political economy is believed to be fundamental in outlining the future direction of the management and development of zakat, especially for the future direction of ZPP 2016-2020.

Providing further details on his presentation during the Question & Answer session. Sitting to
Prof. Syukri's right is the Mufti of Pulau Pinang, Sahibus Samaha Dato' Dr. Haji Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor
while on his left is Yang Di- Pertua Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang
YB. Dato' Haji Mohd. Salleh bin Man.

By using secondary information and textual analysis, Prof. Syukri proposes six approaches, based on an understanding of the political economy perspective, which can be used as the guidelines in the management and development of zakat 2016-2020. The six approaches are, namely, first, the role of political power. Second, the need for de-centralization and localization of zakat. Third, the importance of professionalism approach. Fourth, the economic construction of commercial economies, strategic economies, and fard al-kifayat economies. Fifth, defining the concept of poverty in Islam, and sixth, the construction of an Islamic society. A Question & Answer session was also held immediately after Prof. Syukri ended his speech.

Dr. Mohd. Shukri Hanapi presenting his paper during one of the three mini workshops held concurrently.

Meanwhile, ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad, Associate Professor Dr. Zakaria Bahari and Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi also participated in this workshop. All three were involved in the three different mini workshops that was held concurrently within the 4-day workshop. Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi presented his paper on “Arah Tuju Pelaksanaan Agihan Zakat” (Direction of Zakat Distribution) in the mini workshop on Bengkel Kebajikan dan Pendidikan Asnaf (Asnaf's Welfare and Education Workshop). 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zakaria Bahari (left) participating in one of the mini workshops.

Besides Dr. Mohd Shukri, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zakaria Bahari also took part in one the mini workshops. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zakaria gave some very useful and pertinent feedback by giving his views and suggestions in the mini workshop on Bengkel Ekonomi dan Keusahawanan (Economy and Entrepreneur Workshop).