JAKARTA — Passing the age of 31, Dompet Dhuafa is an indicator of maturity in Islamic philanthropy-based institutions. Many people or parties have given appreciation to Dompet Dhuafa. One of the reasons is because this institution has a multicultural characteristic and always transforms according to the times. Another main factor is because Dompet Dhuafa always collaborates with various parties.
Today, Tuesday (02/07/2024), with the theme “31 years of Dompet Dhuafa, A Smiling Foundation”, exactly at the age of 31, Dompet Dhuafa is so happy to tread its journey forward. Happiness was recognized with Dompet Dhuafa’s 31st anniversary commemoration event which took place in the Philanthropy Building area, South Jakarta.
“Smile is the key” is a phrase often conveyed by the Initiator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Parni Hadi, every time he gives advice and motivation to Dompet Dhuafa people. So, every time Dompet Dhuafa people interact with anyone, any party, be it mustahik, muzaki, stakeholders, partners, and others, the impression displayed is a friendly impression as evidenced by a smile. In addition, Dompet Dhuafa must have a strong stance, it must also be able to raise dignity, namely by empowering and lifting the dignity of the beneficiaries.
Even so, successfully passing through obstacles does not mean there are no challenges ahead. Dompet Dhuafa will always make the past a form of lesson to be better in the future. Dompet Dhuafa will always strive to grow and develop. Like a tree. This parable is as predicted by Allah in Surah Ibrahim verses 24-25. The following verse reads,
ََمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ اَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَّفَرۡعُهَا فِى السَّمَآءِۙ( ٢٤) تُؤۡتِىۡۤ اُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِيۡنٍۢ بِاِذۡنِ رَبِّهَاؕ وَيَضۡرِبُ اللّّٰهُ الۡاَمۡثَالَ لِنَّاسِ لَعََلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُوۡنَ( ٢٥)
Meaning: Have you not noticed how Allah has made an example of a good sentence like a good tree, its roots strong and its branches (reaching) to the sky (24) (the tree) bears its fruit at all times with the permission of its Lord. And Allah has made this example for the people that they may remember (25).
Read alos: A Smiling Foundation, Dompet Dhuafa Invites All People to Smile on its 31st Anniversary
This parable is what Dompet Dhuafa continues to hold to move forward, grow and develop for the better.
“Like a tree, Dompet Dhuafa is a tree of goodness. This tree of goodness has been cared for, watered, and even fertilized by many people. The work of many people is for the pleasure of Allah,” said Parni.
At this milad tasyakuran, Parni Hadi along with other board of trustees, supervisors, administrators, program management partners, as well as Dompet Dhuafa people, planted a tree of goodness. The meaning of this action is an analogy of Dompet Dhuafa as a tree whose roots are firmly planted to the earth, its branches soar to the sky, its leaves nurture the people around it, and its fruit benefits many people throughout the seasons.
“This milad is the milad of all of you. The elders only nurture. Because all have merit. Dompet Dhuafa is not the work of one person. All contribute,” said Parni in front of the people and guests present.
Chairman of the Dompet Dhuafa Board, , in his speech said that Dompet Dhuafa has undergone many transformations since its inception. But it still has one principle, which is to turn mustahik into muzakki. Starting from just a donation column in Republika newspaper. Then it became a foundation that has its own laws. Furthermore, it obtained a license as a national zakat institution and gradually obtained permission to also become a waqf nazir. Dompet Dhuafa has even transformed itself with the idea of pioneering the concept of philanthropreneurship.
If Dompet Dhuafa was once known as a zakat institution, in fact now the zakat funds in this institution are in the range of 40%. While waqf funds continue to rise until now in the range of 17%.
Read also: LPI Dompet Dhuafa Wins WTP 2022 Opinion
The philanthropreneur concept has been successful, as evidenced by the progress and development of well-managed business units. Among the philanthropreneur portfolios displayed at the 31st milad tasyakuran event were the Umar Usman Business Campus, Budi Bakti College of Management (STIM), Institute of Independence, Al Syukro Universal Islamic College, Cibinong SMART School, and DD Farm.
“We cannot think with the mindset that Dompet Dhuafa is only a zakat institution. But Dompet Dhuafa is also a waqf nazir that manages social business activities. In general, all of Dompet Dhuafa’s activities are to empower the poor and improve their economic welfare. This is very important, so that we can be more flexible in presenting a program and really on target, “said Ahmad.
Especially for people who manage social business programs. Of course, not only thinking about how funds are channeled in the right target, but are required to have a spirit of self-help, empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Maybe not everyone has a business or manages a business, but everyone must have the spirit and mindset of a philanthropreneur. This will be a framework that explains the relationship between activities as a whole that is sustainable. Whether it is in activities between individuals or how to manage and link between programs or entities.
“Since a long time ago, we have emphasized that the orientation of our zakat management is to change from mustahik to muzakki. So inevitably, we must try our best, as much as possible, so that this orientation is truly realized,” Ahmad said.
It was recorded that the collection in Ramadan 1445 Hijri reached Rp124.43 billion. This figure increased by 9.8%. Meanwhile, the amount of qurbani collection that has just been completed is IDR 66.874 billion. This also increased by 3.3%. In terms of the number of animals, there were 27,470 sheep/goats. This figure is still the largest in qurbani management in Indonesia to date.
In addition to strengthening the mindset of philanthropreneurs, this tasyakuran event was also a momentum for the presence of IDEAS with a new face. Since June 2015, IDEAS has been conducting various research and advocacy on Indonesian and Islamic-based public policies. If previously IDEAS had an extension of the name Institute for Demographic and Poverty Studies, it is now transformed into the Institute for Demographic and Affluence Studies. This means that the research conducted by IDEAS is not only about poverty, but also balanced with studies on welfare. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika Prabowo