Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Ministry of Religious Affairs has clarified that a mandatory Islamic alms-giving based on accumulated wealth known as zakat funds will not be utilized for the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. 

Ministry spokesperson Thobib Al Asyhar said  in Jakarta on Friday (20/2/2026) that zakat distribution must strictly adhere to Islamic Law and Law No. 23/2011, which mandates allocations only for eight specific categories of beneficiaries (asnaf).

"There is no policy directing zakat toward the MBG program; we ensure distribution remains aligned with sharia principles and existing regulations," he explained, as cited by antaranews.com 

He said that zakat is a public trust that must prioritize those eligible under the Quran, such as the poor, the needy, and those in debt. To maintain transparency, the Ministry urged citizens to channel their contributions through official institutions like Baznas or licensed Zakat Management Agencies (LAZ), which undergo regular professional audits to ensure accountability and proper management of the community's religious alms.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)