HISTORY

Dompet Dhuafa Republika is a non-profit organization owned by the Indonesian people that serves to raise the social dignity of people experiencing poverty with ZISWAF funds (Zakat, Infaq, Shadaqah, Waqf, and other funds that are halal and legal, from individuals, groups, companies/institutions). Its birth began with the collective empathy of the journalist community, who interacted a lot with the poor and often met with the rich—initiated by the management of fundraising with anyone who cares about the fate of the poor.

BEGINNING OF PRESENCE

It was initially a coincidence, although as believers, we believe there is no coincidence. Allah, the Supreme Creator, has determined everything. In April 1993, Koran Republika held a promotion for the three-month-old newspaper at the Kridosono stadium, Yogyakarta. In addition to sales promotion to attract new customers, the event at the stadium was also intended to attract Jogja people to buy shares of the public newspaper Harian Republika.

Present at the event were General Leader / Editor in Chief of Republika Parni Hadi, “A Million People” Da’i, (late) Zainuddin MZ and King of Dangdut Singer H. Rhoma Irama and the marketing crew of Republika. Indeed, the event was packaged as a combination of Islamic Preaching (da’wah) and entertainment.

After the event, the Republika group from Jakarta was invited to eat at the Bambu Kuning restaurant, and there joined friends from the Rural Da’wah Corps (CDP) under the leadership of Ustadz Umar Sanusi and the guidance of da’wah activists in the poor area of Gunung Kidul, (late) Mr Jalal Mukhsin.

In a lunchtime talk, CDP leaders reported on their activities, including general teaching science, Islamic religious knowledge, and empowering low-income people. So, CDP members function all around: teachers, preachers, and social activists.

When Parni Hadi asked their monthly salary, he replied: “Each of them receives six thousand rupiahs a month.” Shocked, dumbfounded and half incredulous, the Republika leader asked again: “Where did the funds come from?” The answer received made almost all the entourage members run out of words: “That’s the money that the college students deliberately separated from their parents’ submissions.” As if suffocated, Parni Hadi retorted: “I am ashamed, sorry. After returning from Yogyakarta, I will make something to help friends.” Zainuddin MZ immediately added: “I will help find funds.”

Why was it shocked, suffocated, and reacted immediately? Because Rp 6000 at that time was a small amount for the size of Yogyakarta, especially for the size of Jakarta, it was minimal. Moreover, the money comes from the life-saving efforts of the students.

The rubric “Dompet Dhuafa” received an extraordinary reception. This rubric was marked by significant progress in collecting community funds. Thus, the need arose to formalize the activities managed by Keluarga Peduli in Republika.

On September 4, 1994, the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation was established. Dompet Dhuafa’s professionalism is increasingly felt along with expanding the awareness program from originally only local to national, even international. Not only serving financial assistance for the unprivileged in cash but also developing broader programs such as economic assistance, health, education, and disaster relief.

On October 10, 2001, Dompet Dhuafa Republika was inaugurated for the first time by the government as Lembaga Zakat Nasional (Lembaga Amil Zakat) by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The foundation was established before Notary H. Abu Yusuf, SH, on September 14, 1994, announced in the State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia No. 163/A.YAY. HKM/1996/PNJAKSEL.

Based on the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 38 of 1999 concerning Zakat Management, Dompet Dhuafa is a Zakat management institution formed by the community. On October 8, 2001, the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia issued Decree Number 439 of 2001 concerning the INAUGURATION OF DOMPET DHUAFA REPUBLIKA as a national-level Amil Zakat Institution.