Rumah Amal Masjid Jamik Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) held a zakat awareness meeting with the academic community of the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) USK as part of its efforts to expand education and outreach on zakat, infaq, and sadaqah (ZIS) across the university.
The meeting was attended by the newly inaugurated Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. drg. Zulfan M. Alibasyah, Sp.Perio, who officially began his 2026–2031 term after being inaugurated in early July 2026 at the AAC Dayan Dawood Building. Also in attendance were the vice deans, faculty members, administrative staff, and other members of the Faculty of Dentistry academic community.
Representing Rumah Amal USK were Dr. Allaily, S.Pt., M.Si., Deputy Director of Rumah Amal USK, and drg. Iin Sundari, M.Si., a board member of Rumah Amal USK and a lecturer at the Faculty of Dentistry, accompanied by the institution’s operational team.
Institutional Profile and Legal Status
During the presentation, Rumah Amal USK introduced its history and legal standing, explaining that the institution was officially established in 2016. In 2023, Rumah Amal USK entered into an official partnership with LAZ Rumah Amal Salman under the Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia No. 854 of 2023. In the same year, the institution officially obtained the status of a National Amil Zakat Institution (LAZ) under the auspices of LAZ Rumah Amal Salman.
Zakat Calculation and Payroll Deduction Mechanism
The Rumah Amal USK team explained that the zakat calculation follows the annual nisab determined by the Sharia Advisory Council of Baitul Mal Aceh through Decree No. 04/KPTS/2025, with the minimum zakatable monthly income set at approximately IDR 13,000,000.
To facilitate zakat payment, Rumah Amal USK offers an automatic payroll deduction scheme covering remuneration, lecturer certification allowances, professor allowances, and basic salaries. The deductions are processed by the university or faculty treasurer and transferred every month, enabling contributors to fulfill their zakat obligations more conveniently.
For lecturers and administrative staff whose income has not yet reached the nisab, Rumah Amal USK also provides an automatic infaq contribution scheme from remuneration, with contribution options of 1%, 2%, 5%, or a customized percentage according to each donor’s preference.
Distribution Programs and Community Impact
The zakat and infaq funds collected are distributed through a wide range of social welfare and empowerment programs, including tuition fee and living allowance scholarships for underprivileged students (BPRA), the Economic Empowerment Program for Underprivileged Communities (P2EMD), Peduli Sigra direct cash assistance, Rumah Tahfiz scholarships, debt relief assistance for gharimin (individuals burdened by debt), as well as humanitarian support for orphans and the people of Palestine.
According to the data presented during the meeting, Rumah Amal USK collected a total of IDR 11.83 billion in zakat between 2022 and 2025, distributing IDR 10.72 billion to 6,330 beneficiaries selected from 10,078 program applicants. During the same period, the institution also received IDR 2.78 billion in infaq and distributed IDR 2.52 billion to 7,868 beneficiaries.
Rumah Amal USK further emphasized that its programs contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability, Rumah Amal USK provides various supporting services for muzakki (zakat contributors), including zakat calculation assistance, Zakat Payment Certificates (BSZ), beneficiary recommendations, and annual institutional reports.
The meeting is expected to enhance the understanding and participation of the Faculty of Dentistry academic community in fulfilling their zakat and infaq obligations while strengthening the partnership between Rumah Amal USK and the faculties within Universitas Syiah Kuala. Through this collaboration, Rumah Amal USK continues to uphold its commitment to “Empowering, Elevating, and Restoring Dignity.”