Saturday, 10 October 2026
LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM- The National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency distributed 30 food parcels to elderly residents and economically disadvantaged families on Saturday, 10 October 2026, during a Dzikir Akbar (large-scale communal remembrance of God and prayer) held for the entire village of Sukadame. The initiative highlighted the importance of zakat, infak and sadaqah – obligatory almsgiving and voluntary charitable donations under Islamic principles – as instruments of social welfare to support people facing financial hardship.
BAZNAS Labuhanbatu Selatan organised the initiative in collaboration with the Silangkitang sub-district administration and the Sukadame village administration. The event took place at a mosque in the Sumberjo II hamlet, Sukadame village, Silangkitang sub-district. The partnership brought religious values together with practical social action designed to address the immediate needs of local residents.A total of 30 households or individuals in need received food parcels. The assistance was intended to help recipients meet their daily essential needs while easing the financial pressures that continue to affect part of the community.
The chairman of BAZNAS Labuhanbatu Selatan, Muhammad Yusuf Hasibuan, S.Fil.I., S.H., attended the event in person and symbolically handed over the aid to representatives of the beneficiaries. The distribution formed part of his agency's efforts to expand the impact of zakat management and reach population groups requiring particular support.Organisers selected the recipients using data compiled in consultation with the Sukadame village administration. This approach was intended to ensure that the assistance was distributed in a targeted and orderly manner, in line with the community's actual needs.
Muhammad Yusuf Hasibuan, chairman of BAZNAS Labuhanbatu Selatan, emphasised the importance of working with government administrative bodies at every level, including village administrations, to broaden the reach of social welfare programmes. He said the partnership made it easier to identify eligible recipients and helped ensure that assistance was distributed on the basis of reliable data.
Yusuf also stressed that every contribution entrusted to the agency represented a responsibility towards the muzakki. The term refers to Muslims who are obliged to pay zakat and entrust the management of their contributions to BAZNAS. The agency must therefore manage and distribute these funds responsibly, in a coordinated manner and with a clear focus on those most in need.Coordination with the sub-district and village administrations represents an important step towards ensuring the effectiveness of assistance programmes. Local authorities understand the social and economic circumstances of their communities, while BAZNAS is responsible for distributing zakat, infak and sadaqah through programmes that deliver direct benefits to recipients.
The partnership also demonstrates that addressing social challenges requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders. When government bodies and zakat management institutions coordinate their efforts effectively, the likelihood increases that assistance programmes will reach the people who need support most urgently.For elderly residents and economically disadvantaged families, food parcels represent more than material assistance to meet everyday needs. They also serve as a sign of social solidarity, offering encouragement and helping people cope with financial difficulties.
However, achieving lasting results requires accurate beneficiary records, regular assessments of programme implementation and sustained cooperation. These measures can help zakat distribution deliver greater benefits to society rather than remain limited to individual ceremonial occasions.
Alongside the food distribution, organisers held a large communal dzikir and prayer gathering for the entire village of Sukadame. The religious event took place in a solemn and celebratory atmosphere and attracted considerable interest from local residents. Ustaz Erzan Nasution delivered the sermon, highlighting the role of mothers within the family, the importance of setting a good example in everyday life and the need to strengthen religious faith.
The role of mothers received particular attention because the family provides a fundamental foundation for harmonious community life. Mothers make an important contribution to raising children, supporting family members and passing on moral values that can guide the next generation.Strengthening religious values is also closely linked to social responsibility. Religious conviction is demonstrated not only through acts of worship but also through practical deeds, including helping others, respecting older people and caring for fellow residents experiencing difficult living conditions.
The event illustrated how religious activities can create a sense of community while encouraging practical social initiatives. When residents participate in such gatherings together, they can strengthen fellowship, mutual support and the traditional Indonesian spirit of gotong royong – collective effort and mutual assistance – alongside their spiritual lives.Distributing food parcels during the communal prayer gathering also conveyed the message that caring for vulnerable people is a practical expression of religious values. By bringing worship and social engagement together, the community can strengthen interpersonal relationships and raise awareness of the needs of fellow residents who require assistance.
In his view, caring for people in need is a shared responsibility. Cooperation between institutions and local administrative bodies is essential to strengthening community spirit and mutual support, particularly while some residents continue to face financial hardship.
The partnership also demonstrates the importance of clearly defined responsibilities in social welfare initiatives. The sub-district and village administrations can assess local needs based on their understanding of conditions within the community. BAZNAS, meanwhile, ensures that funds collected through zakat, infak and sadaqah are distributed through appropriate assistance programmes.Coordinated efforts are expected to strengthen social welfare programmes over the long term. Support for vulnerable groups should not be confined to religious gatherings or special occasions but should become an integral part of collective efforts to improve living conditions.
The event was also attended by representatives of the village administration, religious leaders, community representatives, young people and residents of Sukadame and surrounding areas. It concluded with a communal prayer expressing hopes for blessings, good health, security and well-being for the community.The distribution of 30 food parcels in Sukadame provided an opportunity to reinforce the role of zakat as an instrument of social welfare. Although food assistance can ease the immediate financial pressures faced by recipients, the programme's lasting impact will continue to depend on reliable beneficiary data, responsible fund management and sustained cooperation.
Through collaboration between BAZNAS Labuhanbatu Selatan, the Silangkitang sub-district administration and the Sukadame village administration, the spirit of mutual assistance is expected to grow stronger. The partnership can also reinforce the role of zakat management in supporting people in need, particularly elderly residents and economically disadvantaged families.Responsible management and targeted zakat distribution can ultimately deliver tangible improvements for the community. The care expressed through religious gatherings should not be limited to moral appeals but should translate into practical measures that help build a more solidaristic, inclusive and prosperous society. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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