One of the current optimisms in the world of waqf is the belief that the trend in waqf management, both waqf in the form of fixed assets and cash waqf, will continue to increase this year. If you look at the data, in the last three years, waqf management figures have increased quite significantly. During the 2011-2018 period, for example, cash waqf collections reached IDR 255 billion. However, in the last three years, namely 2018-2021, the figure rose to IDR 855 billion, or an increase of 236 percent. Of course, this is a very significant increase even though it is only half a percent of the potential which reaches IDR 180 trillion.
Likewise, the performance of the BWI Kenazhiran Institution has increased. In 2020, the amount of cash waqf collected by LK BWI reached IDR 66.35 billion, and in 2021, the figure will increase to IDR 77.75 billion. This increase of 17.18 percent is an indication of increasing public participation in the waqf movement. It's just a matter of how we encourage the level of public awareness to want to give waqf, especially cash waqf. Cash waqf opens up opportunities for anyone, from any background and any level of income, to experience the joy of worship that will provide endless rewards, even after death.
Meanwhile, in terms of digitalization, current conditions show quite significant improvement. Since the launch of the digital platform berkahwakaf.id in March 2021, the contribution of digital cash waqf collection has increased even though its share of the contribution to the overall cash waqf collection figure has only reached one percent. This condition is exactly like when BAZNAS started digitizing zakat in 2016, where the contribution to digital zakat collection only reached one percent. However, with the innovations carried out, the contribution to digital collection performance increased to 24.7 percent in 2020, or an increase of almost 25 times in four years. We hope that, with hard work and continuous innovation accompanied by a more massive campaign, the trend of digital cash waqf collection can increase significantly over time.
With the data portrait above, it is not an exaggeration if the author believes that the performance of waqf management this year, God willing, will be better than the previous year. There are a number of important agendas that are BWI's priorities, which are expected to accelerate the growth of waqf nationally. First, securing waqf assets. This is a very important and fundamental thing. This security, among other things, is carried out legally, where waqf assets that have not been officially certified can be properly certified so as to minimize the potential for conflicts over waqf assets, as well as illegal transfer of waqf assets to private property or to private companies. Collaboration between BWI, Ministry of Religion, Ministry of ATR/BPN, Islamic mass organizations and all Nazirs is an important thing that needs to be done.
In one of the expert council meetings for Islamic mass organizations which was attended by the author, data was revealed that the mass organizations were aware of the importance of securing waqf assets and had just completed legal security at 49 locations of the waqf assets they owned. The value has reached half a trillion rupiah. There are still hundreds of waqf asset locations that are of concern to these mass organizations, whose value reaches trillions of rupiah. The author believes that similar problems have been found in other Islamic organizations that need to be addressed immediately. PP Muhammadiyah's experience in consolidating its waqf assets in the last few decades needs to be used as best practice in securing waqf assets so that it has a positive impact on the progress of society.
Second, strengthening the digitalization of waqf and developing an integrated digital waqf ecosystem. This is a very important thing to do. In the first quarter of this year, BWI is strengthening its e-reporting and e-accounting system to improve the quality of its database, so that we have valid and credible waqf report data. The credibility of this data is part of the public accountability that BWI must fulfill. Apart from that, this digitalization is also expected to increase people's literacy, as well as make it easier for them to carry out their waqf worship. Through this digitalization, it is also hoped that there will be integration of previously existing database systems, both those managed by the Ministry of Religion through its SIWAK, and also those managed by the Ministry of ATR/BPN through its Touch Tanahku application, as well as the applications owned by each LKS PWU in collecting waqf Money.
Third, improving the quality of Nazhir human resources in Indonesia. As the first nazhir professional certification body in the world, LSP BWI has a very noble task to improve the competency of existing nazhirs. This is very important because the face of waqf management is greatly influenced by the face of human resources. The higher the quality of elementary school
If you have M, the better quality your waqf management will be. Therefore, LSP BWI, with the full support of the Ministry of Religion, the Productive Waqf Forum, and other stakeholder elements, needs to continue to expand this nazhir competency certification program to all regions of Indonesia.
Fourth, strengthening collaboration with various parties to strengthen the strategic waqf program, including KNEKS which has members from 16 ministries/institutions in Indonesia. Among these programs is how to mobilize the cash waqf movement in KNEKS member institutions, such as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of BUMN. The Ministry of Religion's ASN cash waqf program can be one of the main references regarding this matter. With this collaboration, it is hoped that the optimization of cash waqf collection can continue to be developed and strengthened. For this reason, the author is optimistic that the performance of national waqf this year, God willing, will be better than the previous year. Hopefully. Wallaahu a'lam.
Disclaimer:
- Source: Iqtishodia Republika (published January 27 2022, with the title 'Proyeksi Wakaf 2022')
- The author's views do not represent the views of the Institution
