USM-USIM-UniSZA-UPM RESEARCH PROJECT

Merting in progress

For the first time today, had a meeting with co-researches of a FRGS research project on Conceptualising Islamic Marketing:A Study of its Epistemological Underpinnings from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) and Universiti Putra Malaysia. The project is led by Puan Hanim Misbah of USIM and based at the university, with the aim of investigating what is meant by Islamic marketing, assessing the existing Islamic marketing thinking, and proposing shari`ah-based standards of Islamic marketing, particularly in the production of products, promotion, distribution and pricing.

The research team (L-R): Adilah (Research Officer), Hanim (Leader), Dr Fadzila Azni, Dr Azrin, myself, Razali and Dr Radhi

The project was born last year when I was a Visiting Professor at USIM, with Hanim Misbah and Dr Mohd Radhi Ibrahim of USIM, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad and myself of USM, Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan of UniSZA and Razali Othman of UPM as the members of the research team.

To date, five papers have been produced and will be presented at the 5th ISDEV International Islamic Development Management Conference (IDMAC11) tomorrow. Another six papers are on the pipeline and scheduled to be presented at a Research Seminar at UniSZA next March 2012, InshaAllah. The project is expected to be the pioneering work in establishing Islamic marketing thinking from within Islamic epistemological and philosophical underpinnings.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED

Checking-in at Brunei International Airport

Alhamdulillah, we are safely back in Penang today. All missions in Brunei Darussalam were accomplished. Our knowledge about zakat in the country has been increased, and networking has been established with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) through Academy of Brunei Studies and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) through Madhab Shafi'i Research Centre.

In consequence, I am thinking aloud to establish a research team on Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja) concept of the Brunei Darussalam, consisting of academic staffs of ISDEV, UBD and UNISSA. For the beginning, perhaps at least four research concentrations could be undertaken, viz, development, institutional management, zakat, and Islamic banking. The present state of the four could be observed and their potentials could be prescribed in strengthening the realisation of the Malay Islamic Monarchy concept.

In memory: At one of the three buffet restaurants behind our hotel that we used to have our dinner

In memory: The Palm Garden Hotel, our accommodation at Kiulap, Brunei Darussalam

In memory: While waiting for our connecting flight to Penang, working at one of the restaurants at LCCT, Sepang

In memory: While flying back to Penang, Dr Zakaria and Dr Zahri reading and commenting on the thesis of ISDEV graduate students

4TH DAY IN BRUNEI

With the Director Dr Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah (1st right) and students of the Academy of Brunei Studies of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam during the Eid Celebration at the Academy

On our fourth day in Brunei today, we carried out three tasks. The first was attending an Eid celebration lunch of the Academy of Brunei Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam; the second was a discussion with the Dean/Director, Deputy Deans and lecturers of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA); and the third was another Eid celebration dinner at Dr Zahri's friend residence in Tutong - about 45 minutes drive outside Bandar Seri Begawan. Below are some of the recorded activities.

With Deputy Director of the Academy of Brunei Studies Tuan Haji Mohd Sharol Amira bin Abdullah (1st left) and two expatriates from United Kingdom and Japan at the Academy (1st and 2nd right)

With Programme Leader Tuan Haji Mohammad Rafee Shahif (1st left) and Deputy Director Tuan Haji Shahrol (3rd left) of the Academy of Brunei Studies at the later's office

Discussion with the Deans, Deputy Deans and lecturers of  Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) on the zakat in Brunei and the UNISSA-ISDEV possible cooperation, chaired by Acting Director of the Madhab Shafi'i Research Centre Dr Abdul Nasir bin Haji Abdul Rani (1st right)

After the discussion at UNISSA: (L-R) Dr Zahri, Dr Zakaria, Dean of the Faculty of Usuluddin Dr Husin, myself, Acting Director of the Madhab Shafi'i Research Centre Dr Abdul Nasir bin Haji Abdul Rani, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Shari`ah and Law, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, lecturer Hajjah Ros Abdullah and expatriate from Sudan

Receiving a gift from UNISSA's Madhab Shafi'i Research Centre Dr Abdul Nasir bin Haji Abdul Rani

Eid celebration at the residence of Dr Zahri's friend in Tutong

INTELLECTUAL DISCOURSE AT ACADEMY OF BRUNEI STUDIES, UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

The intellectual discourse at Academy of Brunei Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, chaired by its Director Dr Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah

Our third day in Brunei Darussalam today was spent at Academy of Brunei Studies of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UDB). We had an interesting intellectual discourse with the Director Dr Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah, Deputy Director Tuan Haji Mohd Shahrol Amira bin Abdullah, Programme Leader Mohammad Rafee Shahif, lecturer Associate Professor Dr Mikio Oishi and few others.

The topics ranged from the state of the rich and the poor in Brunei, the management of zakat in Brunei, the state philosophy Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), the position of zakat within the MIB philosophy, and possible cooperations between the Academy and ISDEV.

For the latter, coincidently, three undergraduate students of the Academy are now in USM and taking my Principles of Islamic-based Development course via a student exchange programme. We agreed that this could be the start of our cooperation, followed possibly InshaAllah by the participation of the academicians from the Academy in ISDEV 5th IDMAC11 to be held in December 2011 at USM, academic visits and exchanges, and research collaborations in the near future. If these are realised, a MoU will be signed between ISDEV and the Academy, InshaAllah, for a longer collaboration.

The Director expressing her points

The participants of the discourse

DINNER TREATMENT BY DR BAHARUDDIN ARUS OF UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

With Dr Baharuddin having dinner at a Malaysian restaurant near Times Square

Just came back from a dinner treatment given by Dr Baharuddin Arus of Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The venue was a Malaysian-owned prestigious restaurant near the Times Square of Bandar Seri Begawan. There were Malaysian foods such as Mee Bandung Muar as was taken by Dr Zakaria Bahari, Nasi Goreng Pattaya taken by Dr Zahri Hamat, Mee Goreng taken by Dr Baharuddin, and Nasi Sup Ayam taken by me. We also shared murtabak together, and our drink was Radix. According to Dr Baharuddin, there are a lot of Malaysian restaurants in Brunei Darussalam. Most of the customers seem to be a middle-income class. After the dinner, we were brought around to tour the city of Bandar Seri Begawan by Dr Baharuddin.

Talking to a father of a graduated MBA student from Jengka Pahang who is in Brunei to attend his son's Convocation Ceremony at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam on Thursday 29 September.

FIRST TASK IN BRUNEI DONE

Programme brochure

Our first task in Brunei Darussalam went on as scheduled, Alhamdulillah. We were at Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Religious Affairs this morning, discussing about zakat in the state with officers of Zakat Collection and Distribution Section (ZCDS) of the Department of Islamic Religious Council. The photos below explain the activities this morning.

The discussion in progress

With some of the Islamic Religious Council's staff involving in the discussion

With the Secretary of the Islamic Religious Council (2nd left)

After solatul zohor at Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque near Kuilap

Outside the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

SAFELY ARRIVING BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Arriving at Brunei Darussalam's airport

Alhamdulillah, we have landed safely at Brunei Darussalam airport at about 3.45 pm. We were ferried to Palm Garden Hotel of the Bandar Seri Begawan - our accommodation in Brunei - by Jom, the hotel driver. Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam seems to be quite and peaceful.

After maghrib prayer, he had our dinner at a buffet restaurant beside our hotel. Buffet restaurant style is a unique trend in Brunei, according to Dr Baharuddin, a former USM lecturer who is now teaching at Universitit Brunei Darussalam for the last 12 years. He came to visit us at our hotel at about 11.00 pm just now.

One communication facility that is absent in Brunei is the pre-paid mobile line. Unlike in Malaysia and Indonesia, we could not buy a sim card and use it instantly. Instead we need to register for a fixed line, says Jom the driver. As we are going to stay here for just five days, we decided to use our existing Malaysian line rather than registering for the Brunei fixed line.

OFF TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Arriving at LCCT by 8.15 am flight from Penang

I am on a long journey again today. The destination this time is Brunei Darusssalam. The aim is to undertake a round-up visit for the research on Zakat Accounting in Southeast Asia. The team, as usual, consists of Dr Zakaria Bahari and Dr Zahri Hamat. They are travelling together with me, as shown in the photo above.

This posting is published at LCCT in Sepang. We arrived from Penang by 8.15 am flight just now, and at the moment waiting for 1.10 pm flight to Brunei Darussalam. Beginning from tomorrow, we will be visiting Brunei's Ministry of Religious Affair, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, InshaAllah. We will be leaving for Penang on Thursday 29 September 2011.

While waiting for 1.10 pm flight to Brunei Darussalam, working at Taste of Asia Restaurant at LCCT.

NOTES ON ZAKAT IN JAKARTA TRIP

It is nearly two weeks now since I came back from Jakarta. The knowledge about zakat management in Indonesia that I managed to accumulate are still fresh. Below are some of them that might be worth sharing.

1. The realisation of zakat in Indonesia has originated in about 1993 from the grassroots, not from the government, beginning from zakat consciousness created by journalist Erie Sudewo through Republika daily and subsequently through the establishment of Dompet Dhu`afa Republika, a form of Zakat Amil Board (Lembaga Amil Zakat, LAZ) initiated by the daily Republika.

2. Following later on the emergence of many LAZs around the state at all levels, from provincial to kecamatan and kabupaten, the government established National Zakat Amil Board (Badan Amil Zakat Nasional, BAZNAS), a national zakat organisation acknowledged by but operates quite independently from the government. Top officers of BAZNAS were appointed by the Indonesian President himself from among the outstanding figures of LAZs while some operational staff came from government agencies. However, the BAZNAS officers are not considered as government officers.

3. At provincial levels, there are Badan Amil Zakat Daerah (BAZDA), structured quite similar to BAZNAS at national level. BAZDA 's officers, however, are appointed by and accountable to their respective Governors,  while LAZ's officers by their respective Foundations/organisations.

4. With the establishment of BAZNAS, zakat realisation in Indonesia is now being undertaken by two entities, firstly by the government-initiated BAZNAS and secondly by the voluntary LAZs. While BAZNAS could be considered as a top-down government-initiated endevaour, the LAZ is a bottom-up grassroot-initiated endeavour. Their activities are being coordinated by their umbrella organisation called Forum Zakat (FOZ).

5. In spite of the establishment of BAZNAS, LAZs are still needed in Indonesia as the country is too wide to be covered by BAZNAS alone. Historically, the management of Islam in Indonesia in general and zakat management in particular, especially during Dutch colonial period, was not undertaken by the state, but instead by pesanteren, Kiyais, Islamic organisations such as Muhammadiyyah and Nahdatul Ulamak, et. cetera. The phenomenon remains.

6. BAZNAS and LAZs officers work together as most of them have personal relationship and synergy. While LAZs are dealing with the public and masses, BAZNAS is recognised by the government for official information as well as dealing with Ministries and official government agencies. BAZNAS also plays a role in complimenting what the government is doing or not doing or is needed to do.

7. While BAZNAS concentrates its operation more on official public and private agencies, LAZs concentrate their activities more on the masses as well as amongst the members of their organisations. Both, however, cover not only local and national activities, but some also involve in regional and international relief activities.

8. The BAZNAS at national level, or BAZDA (Badan Amil Zakat Daerah) at provisional level, or LAZs at either national or local levels, operate independently of each other, without any specific structured organisations. Relationship between each other is more in the form of consultative, informative and coordinative. The only organisation that coordinates, avoiding duplications and settling conflicts is the Forum Zakat (FOZ), especially at the national level.

9. Both BAZNAS and LAZ's are accountable to muzakki (zakat payers), rather than to the government. The controlling of the policy and implementation, as well as the monitoring tasks are done by their respective Dewan Syariah.

10. The organisational structure of the BAZNAS, BAZDA and LAZ is almost quite similar. There are firstly Dewan Pertimbangan which deals with laws and jurisprudence; secondly the Komisi Pengawal consisting of Accountants, Financial Managers and Shari`ah experts; and thirdly, Badan Pelaksana that is responsible in the day to day operations, consisting of Ketua Umum, two Deputy Ketua Umum (Programmes and Networking) , General Secretariat, Treasury, and Divisions.

11. Unlike Malaysia where zakat institutions and management are positioned under Islamic Religious State Council (Majlis Agama Islam Negeri, MAIN) of respective sates in the country, zakat institutions and management in Indonesia is rather freer. An interested party could establish a zakat organisation by creating a Zakat Amil Board, after they have proven that they managed to accumulate a total of Rp 1 milyer annually. The approval body/Ministry usually come in two forms; firstly, by the Ministry that relates very much to the nature of their organisation (for instance youth, Islamic organisations, welfare organisations, human rights, et. cetera); and secondly, by the Islamic Religious Council. At provincial level, it may come from Governor's Office and the Islamic Religious Council of the province itself.

12. Most the LAZs and BAZNAS operate through the mobilisation of the masses as well as by popular participation. Volunteers at all levels, from public to university students and lecturers, work intimately with asnaf and in asnaf programmes, to train and empower them to overcome their problems.

13. At the moment, there are 18 LAZs at national level. They could be categorised into three categories as follows:

a. LAZ created by Societal Organisations (Organisasi Masyarakat, ORMAS)

1.      LAZ NU

2.      LAZ Muhammadiyah

3.      LAZ DDI

4.      LAZ Pusat Zakat Ummat

5.      LAZ BMH (Baitul Mal Hidayatullah)

6.      LAZ BMT (Baitul Mal watTamwil)

7.      

b. LAZ created by Entrepreneurs (Perusahaan)

           LAZ BAMUIS BNI 46

8.      LAZ Baitul Mal Muamalat (BMM)

9.      LAZ Yayasan Baitul Mal BRI

10.  LAZNAS BSM Ummat

11.  LAZ BAZMA (Baituz Zakat Pertamina)

12.  LAZ Amanah Takaful

13.   

c. LAZ created by Independent Foundations

       LAZ Dompet Dhuafa

14.   LAZ Rumah Zakat Indonesia

15.   LAZ PKPU (Pos Keadilan Peduli Ummat)

16.   LAZ YDSF (Yayasan Dana Sosial Al-Falah)

17.   LAZ DPU DT (Dompet Peduli Ummat Darut Tauhid)

18.   LAZ IPHI (Ikatan Persatuan Haji Indonesia)

       

NEW IDEAS ON ZAKAT DISTRIBUTION

The three-day Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) workshop I was involved at De Palma Hotel Shah Alam ended yesterday with interesting innovative ideas on the distribution of zakat to the three categories of zakat recipients (asnaf): the hardcore poor (fakir), the poor (miskin), and fiisabilillah.

Firstly, all the three asnaf have been redefined to include spiritual dimensions (for the hardcore poor and the poor), and the creation of Islamic syiar (image) as well as the development of Islamic bi`ah (environment) for fiisabilillah. These to date have been missing out in almost all attempts in zakat distribution.

Secondly, in categorising the hardcore poor and the poor, nisab of zakat has been taken as the basic measurement instead of the usual had kifayah. One with income less than 50% of the zakat nisab (after or may be before substracting his had kifayah) falls into the hardcore poor category while one with more than 50% but less than 100% of the zakat nisab falls into the poor category. Zakat distribution will be done according to case by case guided by the degree of the percentages rather than by the flat rate normally practised at the moment.

Thirdly, with the aim to empower zakat management at grassroots level, adoption of localisation and decentralisation approach was thought to be most suitable and necessary, so that zakat collection and distribution are done locally for the benefit of the local society itself.

Fourthly, the asnaf would be given a chance to be part of the zakat management process by participating in planning and decision making process, so as to allow popular participation and create a sense of belonging amongst the asnaf, hence avoiding prejudices and negative perception towards the management of zakat distribution.

Fifthly, zakat distribution projects/programmes/schemes would be carried out with the involvement of other suitable and qualified professional agencies, dakwah organisations, Islamic non-governmental organisations, voluntary groups, et. cetera. This is to develop individuals and groups that could voluntarily and intimately associate themselves with the asnaf, while providing asnaf with guidance, encouragement and stimulation in improving their life in this world and the Hereafter.

We will be meeting again on 5th October 2011 to stretch out the ideas with detailed action plans, InshaAllah. I was given a task to formulate the methods and action plans for the localisation and decentralisation approach.

May Allah SWT bestows me with ideas that He pleases and helps us in our endeavour to realise an effective zakat management, InshaAllah.

ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT ON ZAKAT

Since 12th till today (14th September 2011), I was engaged with another discourse on zakat. This time was at De Palma Hotel in Shah Alam, trying to formulate an improvement of zakat disbursement for Selangor Zakat Board (Lembaga Zakat Selangor, LZS). The three day Workshop was one of the last series of discourses, heading towards the end with new ideas on zakat disbursement for specifically three zakat recipients (asnaf): the hardcore poor (fakir), the poor (miskin), and fisabilillah.

Presenting my ideas on the redefinition of the hardcore poor, the poor, and poverty

Our research team at work (l-r): Associate Professor Syed Ghazali Wafa (team leader) & Professor Dato' Hailani Muji Tahir of National University of Malaysia (UKM), Ustaz Farid of Selangor Zakat Board, Associate Professor Dr Hassan Baharom and Associate Professor Dr Abdul Halim of Zakat Research Institute (IKaZ) of MARA Technology University (UiTM), and myself

JAKARTA MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED

Literature search at Toko Gunung Agong

I am back in Penang today. The 5-day mission in Jakarta has been accomplished successfully, Alhamdulillah.

Following the first and second day, the third and fourth day were spent by respectively undertaking another literature search at Toko Gunung Agong and discussing with Badan Amil Zakat Nasional (BAZNAS) General Manager Professor Dr KH Didin Hafidzuddin, and BAZNAS' Executive Director Teten Kustiawanon.

We left Ibis Tamarin Hotel at around 4 in the early morning of the fifth day today to catch a flight to Penang at 6 am. We safely landed at Penang International Airport at around 9.05 am, Alhamdulillah.

Books bought at the Toko Gunung Agong

Shopping time at Pasar Tanah Abang

The mosque at the roof top of the 12-storey Pasar Tanah Abang

After solatul-zohor at the Pasar Tanah Abang's mosque

With BAZNAS' Teten Kustiawanon and Professor Dr KH Didin Hafidzuddin (1st and 2nd left respectively)

Discussion with BAZNAS' authority

Lunch treatment by BAZNAS

Zakat marketing in front of BAZNAS's office

BAZNAS's mobile office

SECOND DAY IN JAKARTA, 5 SEPTEMBER 2011

Literature search at U.D Saudara Islamic Bookshop

Our second day in Jakarta was spent fruitfully for a series of three activities. It began with a literature search at U.D Saudara Islamic Bookshop at Jl. Kramat Raya Gang Buntu, followed by a visit to Masjid Agong al-Azhar (founded by the late Hamka) and subsequently discussion with Deputy Director of Lembaga Amil Zakat Peduli Ummat Bapak Sunaryo Adhiatmoko at his office below the Masjid Agong, and lastly, a meeting with Deputy Rector of Universitas Islam Jakarta Professor Marhamah and family at our hotel. The following photos tell them all, briefly.

Books bought at the U.D Saudara Islamic Bookshop

In Masjid Agong al-Azhar, after solatul-zohor

A `marketing' banner of Lembaga Amil Zakat Peduli Ummat al-Azhar outside its office

Universitas al-Azhar founded by Hamka, beside the Masjid Agong al-Azhar

Discussion with Deputy Director of Lembaga Amil Zakat Peduli Ummat Bapak Sunaryo Adhiatmoko and his General Manager (Kelembagaan) Ibu Ningsih

A brief dinner at Seven Eleven, beside our hotel

An informal meeting with Deputy Rector of Universitas Islam Jakarta Professor Marhamah (2nd left) and family

OFF TO OUT-STATION AGAIN

Arriving at Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta International Airport. Received by Pak Iswardi of Universitas Jayabaya (second left)

Yesterday, Sunday 4th September, the last day of the Eid's holiday, I was flying away again. This time was to Jakarta, together with Dr Zakaria Bahari and Dr Zahri Hamat. The mission is to encapsulate our research on Zakat Accounting in Southeast Asia.

We will be here in Jakarta until 8th September 2011, InshaAllah, meeting with various parties related to Zakat, including Head of Badan Zakat Nasional Indonesia (BAZNAS) Prof Dr Didin Hafidzuddin, and the Head of Lembaga Amil Zakat Al-Azhar.

While waiting to fly at Penang International Airport, playing around with my new iPhone camera, taking our own photo

Another trial with the iPhone camera at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Jakarta, together with Pak Iswardi while waiting for another friend of ours in Jakarta, Pak Bisma, to take the car at the airport's car park that ferried us to Ibis Jakarta Tamarin Hotel, our accommodation in Jakarta