H. NUR EFENDI – Chief Executive Officer, Rumah Zakat
01. Our readers would like to know more about your Empowered Village programme, which aims to map the local potential and develop its community.
The Empowered Village programme is our way of empowering Indonesia with the goal of changing behaviour, mindset and developing empowered local economy to overcome the problem itself by combining the strengths and assets owned, as well as collaborating with other parties, especially the Village Government.
02. Begins From Us is another venture of Rumah Zakat, a movement to optimize Zakat and Waqf funds for the betterment of society. Can you tell us some of your success stories?
In 2006 I joined Rumah Zakat, started my career as a Zis Consultant, until 2012 I was the CEO – Rumah Zakat has successfully undergone a transformation, starting from the transformation of the institution “From Traditional to Professional” until now “Transformation to World Digital Philanthropy”, 22 years of presence benefited 35.5 million beneficiaries, in 1800 Desa Berdaya, 18 Juara Schools, 9 Hospitals and Clinics, trusted by more than 500 thousand donors, ISO Certification, 14 times Unqualified Opinion (WTP) Sharia Financial Audit, as a UN special consultative and received public appreciation both locally and globally.
Empowered Village is area-based empowerment with integrated programs for education, health, economy, environment and disaster preparedness accompanied by a companion who we refer to as Inspirational Volunteer. For the sustainability of the program, new economic ecosystems are planted which we call community-owned enterprises.
03. What, in your point of view, is the potential and value of Zakat in economic development and can this instrument be used to develop the Islamic finance industry and be a source of relief to communities.
I often interpret Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqoh and Waqf (ZISWAF) instrument as a celestial instrument, which Allah S.W.T has given us, Muslims, for the welfare of the ummah. Through Zakat, Infaq and Sadaqoh (ZIS) elaboration for short-term consumption and waqf for the long term. Those who have to share with those who don’t have, the poor and weak are not and will not get poorer nor weaker, the strong are not minimized, the concept of justice and economic equity.
04. As a CEO, how do you manage to motivate your team in such crucial times? Please share with our readers some of the leadership secrets and your leadership approach.
- Special Ibadah, a leader must have a special ibadah, do little but do it with istiqomah (strong upright intentions). A leader who is able to present Allah’s mercy in every institutional activities.
- Caring for the vision, good understanding of the vision can foster enthusiasm can foster hope to grow the future. Not to lose the sight of the vision and instil them to every member of the team.
- Exemplary leadership, leaders who have ambition but ambition are not for individuals but for institutional progress and to always provide the best example for the team.
05. Rumah Zakat won the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) Excellence Awards 2020 for the category of Zakat Management. How will this achievement shape your personal focus and your professional commitment?
Alhamdulillah, I would like to say thank you once again for this award. For us, this award is our mandate and
motivation to be more trustworthy and professional in providing good benefits in Indonesia and the world.
06. Industrial revolution 4.0, Fintech and Blockchain are the talk and technologies of today. How has Rumah Zakat taken advantage of these technologies to further its agenda of Zakat management in the economic and financial development of the society?
First, Rumah Zakat adapts quickly by adopting and following the development of digital technology by carrying out a digital transformation towards a World Digital Philanthropy in 2020.
Second, in practice Rumah Zakat runs a collaborative strategy with other industries that are already engaged in fintech and blockchain. Third, in response to this, Rumah Zakat has launched the Digital Islamic Style platform to accommodate the needs of the community in Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqoh and Waqf (ZISWAF) transactions.
07. Why is sustainability becoming an important component of strategic thinking for the leaders of today? How is your organisation playing its part in achieving the sustainability goals by the UN?
Sustainability is a very important component both in organizational sustainability and in program management and hopefully, it can provide long-term impacts and benefits in poverty alleviation efforts. The empowerment program carried out by Rumah Zakat has adopted 17 points in the SDGs, by running the Empowerment Village program. Integrated in the village area based on local potential mapping in the fields of Economy, Environment, Health, Education and Disaster Preparedness. We believe that each village area has its own unique potential and community development needs.
08. The world is fast becoming orientated towards the use of social media. What role can social media play in creating awareness around Islamic finance?
In my opinion, one of the keys to growing Islamic finance is by continuing to educate. In this digital era, a tool that can leverage sharia economic education through social media, is more effective, efficient and has a wider reach.
09 As a CEO, what is your take on the leadership crisis in the Muslim world?
- Good relationship with Allah Almighty, Muslim leaders must have a good relationship with Allah SWT.
- Vision, there is no world Muslim leader who can unite all Muslim-majority countries but we all have the same vision and that vision is what we need to convey.
- Exemplary, there needs to be exemplary in the leadership of a predominantly Muslim country.
10. What habits have you included in your daily routine to strengthen your leadership skills?
Habits of reading, silaturahim (networking) and mentoring. Reading current news, journals, business books whatever kind of reading is a form of learning something new. Silaturahim or networking is not only to meet new people and learn from them but to also continue and maintain our relationship and contact with them. Mentoring is for others and also for ourselves; when we give a lecture, others listen and would ask questions. Answering these questions is a challenge in itself and allow us to better understand them.
11. What have been some of the challenges that you have come across in your career?
More challenges are encountered is how to manage people in the organization. Many comes in and comes in to the team with different backgrounds, skills and goals of life and it is my biggest challenge to bring these people in to walk in the same path as I.
12. At the end, what is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring leader?
One piece of advice for aspiring leaders is that a leader must have a special Ibadah (worship). Allah is the best planner. If something does not go as what we have planned, it might be because Allah SWT have a better plan for us. Keep striving and believe that whatever that comes our way is best for us.
