The Effectiveness of Zakat Fund Management in Community Economic Empowerment at the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of Pangkajene and Islands Regency

Abstrak

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of zakat fund management in ensuring equitable distribution between mainland and island areas, as well as to identify the challenges and efforts undertaken by the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of Pangkajene and Islands Regency. The research employs a qualitative approach using structured interviews with five informants. The findings indicate that zakat management is relatively effective in terms of planning and targeting accuracy; however, equitable distribution has not been fully achieved, particularly in island areas due to geographical constraints, transportation limitations, and weather conditions. In addition, the distribution is still largely dominated by consumptive assistance rather than productive programs. The main challenges include limited access, insufficient personnel, and lack of program dissemination. Efforts such as amil training, collaboration with external parties, and improvements in beneficiary data collection have been implemented, but remain suboptimal. Therefore, strengthening partnerships, enhancing amil capacity, utilizing information technology, and developing sustainable productive zakat programs are necessary to improve equitable distribution.