MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Lazismu, the Muhammadiyah Department of Charity Management, celebrated its 23rd anniversary with a renewed focus on accountability, cultural transformation, and public service expansion. The event, held on Wednesday, was attended by the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education as well as General Secretary of Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu’ti.
In his remarks, Abdul Mu’ti emphasized that Lazismu was established based on Muhammadiyah’s foundational spirit of giving and community service.
“From the beginning, Muhammadiyah has carried out real charitable work to help people in need. One early example was the establishment of Penolong Kesengsaraan Oemoem (PKO),” said Mu’ti in the celebration ceremony on Wednesday, July 23.
Mu’ti stressed that Muhammadiyah has given its members the opportunity to give back to society in a structured and impactful way.
“Building a zakat movement is no longer just a matter of religious duty. It’s a cultural movement,” he explained.
However, Mu’ti noted that promoting a culture of giving through formal institutions remains a challenge in Indonesian society.
“Giving is not always easy. The act of giving and receiving is influenced by psychological and cultural factors. Sometimes people hesitate because they do not see where their donations are going,” said Mu’ti.
Mu’ti called on Lazismu to maintain transparency and uphold public trust.
“These cultural challenges must be addressed. Besides, institutional challenges, such as maintaining trust, are in our hands. We must be trustworthy and keep building that trust,” he added, congratulating Lazismu for earning an unqualified audit opinion (WTP) for seven consecutive years.
Mu’ti also encouraged a more refined interpretation of zakat distribution, particularly the eight asnaf (eligible groups). “We often provide scholarships for students, but scholarships for teachers are still limited. That’s an area we should also address,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah Secretary Muhammad Izzul Muslimin encouraged Lazismu to remain professional.
“We hope Lazismu continues to improve performance and strengthen accountability, so more people will trust and channel their zakat, infaq, and sedekah through Lazismu,” he stated.
In addition, Chairperson of Lazismu Ahmad Imam Mujadid Rais highlighted that the organization’s journey over the past two decades would not be meaningful without public support.
He noted that the anniversary theme, “Bringing Prosperity for All,” reflects Muhammadiyah’s broader goal, as discussed in its Tanwir meeting in Kupang.
“Lazismu should ensure its programs bring real benefits and reach people fairly and proportionally,” said Rais.
Rais shared that Lazismu now has more than 1,200 service offices in 33 provinces across Indonesia.
“Alhamdulillah, for the past seven years, Lazismu has received an unqualified audit opinion. This is both an achievement and a challenge for us to continue strengthening our role,” he added.
To mark the occasion, Lazismu launched its “Save Our School” program, which aims to renovate 300 schools across the country. Other initiatives included the distribution of wheelchairs and hearing aids, Qur’an donations in partnership with Gramedia, financial support for children in Aisyiyah orphanages, and partnerships for mental health, education, social services, economic empowerment, and environmental programs with various organizations including Tokio Marine.
The celebration concluded with a talk show featuring Islamic scholars and content creators Habib Husein Ja’far Al-Hadar and Professor Amelia Fauzia, a leading scholar on Islamic philanthropy from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. The session was moderated by Ibnu Tsani.
