Jakarta, December 7, 2025 – The Indonesian National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) is ready to hold the 9th International Conference on Zakat (ICONZ) 2025 on December 9–11, 2025, at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. This international forum is a strategic momentum for the global zakat community to formulate a new direction for global zakat transformation amidst increasing digital innovation and the growing need for international humanitarian response. With the theme “Zakat & Philanthropy: Beyond Technology – Designing a Global Transform for Humanity and Shared Prosperity,” ICONZ 2025 highlights the role of zakat not only as a religious obligation, but as a global instrument for social justice, humanitarian solidarity, and poverty alleviation across countries.

This event will bring together international zakat authorities, academics, researchers, government leaders, global philanthropic institutions, and the private sector. The series of activities includes a scientific conference, high-level dialogue, paper presentations, international workshops, as well as the launch of books and new collaborative initiatives on zakat governance and Islamic philanthropy. This comprehensive event is expected to create a global consensus space for developing new standards for zakat in the digital era.

The Chairman of BAZNAS RI, Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Achmad, MA, emphasized that technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data have great potential to strengthen the efficiency, accountability, and accuracy of zakat targeting. However, he emphasized that digital innovation must remain grounded in humanitarian values. "Digitalization is very important, but the spirit of zakat must remain central. Technology must accelerate poverty alleviation, strengthen justice, and improve services for those who mustahik (the beneficiaries of zakat)," he said. He also emphasized that various global challenges, such as the disasters in Indonesia and the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, demand more adaptive zakat governance. "Zakat today is no longer just a local issue, but has become an instrument of global humanitarian response. ICONZ 2025 is a crucial platform for aligning actions across countries," he added.

From the organizer's perspective, the Chairman of the ICONZ 2025 Committee from BAZNAS RI, M. Hasbi Zaenal, Ph.D., highlighted the importance of ensuring that the use of technology is in line with ethics and the maqashid of sharia. "Digital transformation in zakat must not stop at technical innovation. It must be built on ethics, trustworthiness, and clarity of maqashid. Technology must expand benefits, not create new distances between muzakki, amil, and mustahik," he said. He added that ICONZ 2025 aims to establish an international consensus on digital zakat governance that is safe, transparent, and equitable. "Through ICONZ, we want to promote global standards for digital zakat governance that are able to meet the challenges of the new era," Hasbi said.

In an academic context, the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, Ph.D., stated that Indonesia holds a strategic position as a global reference for innovation in zakat governance. "Indonesia has become a major laboratory for global zakat governance. Through ICONZ, we want to strengthen Indonesia's academic and policy contributions to the global zakat architecture, including strategic issues such as AI ethics, digital governance, and sustainable humanitarian financing," he said. He stated that university involvement is key to strengthening the scientific foundation and zakat policy in facing the digital era.

Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Ibnu Qizam, emphasized that FEB UIN Jakarta's involvement in ICONZ 2025 is part of its commitment to strengthening the role of higher education in global Islamic economic development. "The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at UIN Jakarta positions zakat and Islamic philanthropy as strategic instruments for inclusive development. Through ICONZ 2025, we want to ensure that technology-based zakat innovations are not only superior in terms of system, but also strong ethically, socially, and in terms of support for vulnerable groups," he said. He added that collaboration between universities, regulators, and global zakat institutions is an important foundation for the birth of sustainable zakat policies. "UIN Jakarta is not only a host but also a center for the production of ideas and recommendations for global zakat policies based on research, maqashid sharia, and social justice."

Meanwhile, INDEF Founder, Prof. Didik J. Rachbini, emphasized that zakat and Islamic philanthropy must now be positioned as part of the economic architecture of national and global development. "Zakat can no longer be viewed solely as a charitable instrument. It must be included in the grand design of economic development, reducing inequality, and strengthening global social resilience, especially in developing countries," he emphasized. He believes that the use of technology in zakat must be directed towards strengthening its economic impact. "The digitalization of zakat will be futile if it does not impact the transformation of the economic structure of the people. ICONZ 2025 is important because it brings together the worlds of research, policy, and practice in one grand design of a just economy."

Prof. Nur Hidayah, Ph.D., Chair of the ICONZ 2025 Committee from the Faculty of Economics and Business, State Islamic University of Jakarta, Head of the Doctoral Program in Islamic Banking, Faculty of Economics and Business, State Islamic University of Jakarta, and Head of the CSED INDEF, added that zakat transformation will only be meaningful if it combines technological advances with Islamic humanitarian and spiritual values. "The integration of humanitarian values, Islamic ethics, and digital innovation is key to the future of Islamic philanthropy. ICONZ is a space to formulate a future that is not only more modern, but also more humane and just," he said. He emphasized that an academic approach must ensure that the transformation of zakat remains inclusive. "Zakat is not just about numbers, algorithms, and dashboards. It is about people, dignity, and sustainability. This is what we want to emphasize in ICONZ 2025," he added.Through the 9th ICONZ, BAZNAS RI, along with strategic partners including the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, INDEF, Tazkia University, Paramadina University, KNEKS, IAEI, and Indiana University, are positioning Indonesia as a global hub for zakat collaboration. This collaboration is the foundation for building global standards, expanding research, and strengthening the international zakat ecosystem. "Indonesia must become a global reference in zakat innovation, literacy, and governance. ICONZ is a global consensus space to strengthen the role of zakat as a pillar of global prosperity," said the Chairman of BAZNAS RI.

With the presence of global zakat leaders, leading academics, and stakeholders from various countries, ICONZ 2025 is expected to produce strategic recommendations, adaptive governance models, and concrete steps relevant to the digital era and various modern humanitarian challenges. The 9th ICONZ affirms Indonesia's commitment to leading the global transformation of zakat to achieve shared prosperity, social justice, and human well-being.