Institution Zakat in Thailand: A Case Study of The Management of Zakat Funds in the Four Southern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

Zakat Institution is one of the most important Institution in Islamic economy. Reducing the burden of the government and fulfilling social needs especially for Muslim society are always referred to as zakat's roles. In a majority Muslim countries, where Shari'ah law is applicable, zakat property is managed by professional bodies. The government Introduces Zakat Departments to collect and distribute zakat fund accordingly. In some non-Muslim countries where Muslims are minority for example Thailand, Zakat fund is managed by different bodies. At community level, Zakat fund is managed by a voluntary agency under a small unit supervised by the Mosque Committee Members (MCMs). This study attempts to investigate the perceptions of zakat recipients (the end user) and the amil (zakat collector-the implementer) on whether localization of zakat distribution would be a possible solution to address the problem of zakat management in Patani and nearby provinces, such as Narathiwat, Yala and Satul. The specific objectives of this study are to identify zakat fund management currently practised among Muslim communities in Patani and nearby provinces such as Narathiwat, Yala and Satul. Secondly to promote Thai government policy in promoting social welfare and solidarity in the community. Many studies reveal that zakat payers were not satisfied with zakat management, especially the distribution aspect. This study uses the primary data collected by Faosi Kado and Shofian Ahmad from 2016 to 2018 from the Provincial Islamic Religious Committee Councils. Several interview sessions with imam, khatib, bilal, the zakat collectors (amils) and zakat recipients in the four southern provinces of Thailand were conducted. The finding of the research indicates that the successful implementation of localization is dependent on the importance of the role of the Muslim Religious Committee Councils and the mosque, committee. Finally, this study recommends the role of the mosque should be strengthened from the outset