The Government of Bangladesh seems to be prioritizing zakat management—a vital step, since zakat is not just a religious duty, but also a key tool for reducing poverty and supporting social welfare. Across the Muslim world, several countries have shown how effective government or semi-government structures can be. Agencies like
When you hear the word Zakat, what comes to mind? For many, it’s a religious duty fulfilled once a year—a ritual obligation. But for the recipients, Zakat can be so much more than that. It can be a lifeline—a chance to escape poverty, build skills, and regain dignity. At As-Sunnah
When you hear the words “Islamic microfinance,” what comes to mind? Small loans, savings groups, perhaps temporary relief? Useful, yes—but often limited. What about real transformation? What about giving people the tools to lift themselves out of poverty, build businesses, and secure their families’ futures? That’s exactly what Islami Bank
When we think of zakat, the first image that comes to mind is usually charity in its simplest form—feeding the poor, giving out cash, or distributing clothes. Noble acts, yes. But what happens after the meal is finished, or the money runs out? That’s where OBHIZATRIK Foundation is taking a
When you hear the word waqf, what comes to mind? For many, it’s an old concept—land donated for mosques, schools, or graveyards centuries ago. Valuable, yes, but often seen as static and disconnected from today’s pressing needs. But waqf isn’t meant to be locked in the past. It’s a timeless
When most people hear the word zakat, they think of giving money to the poor. And yes, that’s a big part of it. But zakat is more than short-term relief. At its heart, it’s about empowerment—lifting people out of poverty and giving them the chance to stand on their own
When we hear the word zakat, we often think of giving—an obligation, a duty, a way to purify wealth. In Indonesia, BAZNAS (Badan Amil Zakat Nasional) has taken this a step further. As the country’s national zakat agency, BAZNAS doesn’t just collect funds—it actively transforms them into programs that empower
A few months ago, I attended a masterclass on sustainability, where I had an insightful conversation that stuck with me. After the session, I met a fellow attendee from Bank Islam Malaysia, who serves as the VP of Sadaqa House. As we spoke, he shared how Sadaqa House Microfinance works—channeling
When we hear “microfinance,” most of us think of loans with high interest rates—small amounts that somehow come with big burdens for the very people they’re supposed to help. But what if microfinance could be different? What if it could be compassionate, community-driven, and completely interest-free? That’s the reality in
For many, zakat is seen as a religious duty—a yearly payment, a good deed, a way to purify wealth. But in Selangor, zakat is far more than a transaction. Here, it’s a catalyst for real change, quietly transforming thousands of lives through one of Malaysia’s most impressive institutions: Lembaga Zakat
When we think of waqf, or Islamic endowment, many of us picture mosques, schools, or wells built centuries ago. It feels like something historic, a concept that belongs to another era. But in Indonesia, Dompet Dhuafa is showing that waqf is anything but outdated. They’ve given it a modern twist,
Worldwide, microfinance programs tend to have significantly higher interest rates compared to commercial banks. For instance, Grameen Bank’s interest rate is around 20%, while BRAC’s is most probably 25%. Some international microfinance programs even charge higher rates. One of the primary reasons behind these higher rates is the higher risk