Jakarta. The Indonesian Wakaf Agency (BWI), tasked with managing charitable donations from Muslims, estimates that the potential almsgivings could reach a staggering Rp180 trillion ($11.3 billion) annually.

Wakaf comprises Islamic donations in various forms, including cash, lands, buildings, or other halal assets, with the donor entrusting entirely their use or spending to other parties.

BWI Chairman Mohammad Nuh said on Wednesday that there are numerous creative ways to harness this substantial potential and utilize donated funds and assets for poverty eradication programs.

“We are currently introducing a charity scheme for pre-wedding couples. Before tying the knot, a couple may donate Rp500,000 or Rp1 million through us. It's a donation, not a dowry,” Nuh explained.

“Rather than traveling to Paris to place a love lock symbolizing an unbreakable relationship, pre-wedding couples can opt for a noble start by contributing to charity,” he added.

Nuh said the wakaf potential amounts to Rp180 trillion annually, which can be allocated to productive programs aimed at alleviating poverty or providing free education to children from underprivileged families.

“The funds can be jointly managed by BWI and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to issue Islamic bonds for the benefit of Indonesian Muslims,” Nuh suggested.

He further noted that the pre-wedding donations have been successfully implemented in West and South Sumatra.