Ahmad Juwaini: We were accused of being politically partial

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation named the philanthropic organization Dompet Dhuafa as one of the recipients of its renown award this year. The foundation based in Manila, the Philippines is convinced that Dompet Dhuafa's management of alms and donations constitutes a big contribution towards public service.

Ahmad Juwaini, who served as CEO of Dompet Dhuafa for the 2013-2016 period, said that the award was a sign of the world's appreciation for his organization's work.

"They said we made an impact on declining numbers of poverty in Indonesia," said Ahmad in an interview with Tempo reporters Tika Primandari and Sapto Yunus last week.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is a yearly event to commemorate Ramon Magsaysay, who was the Philippine president from 1953 to 1957. The award has been given out to deserving people since April 1957 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund that is based in New York, USA.

Ahmad first became aware that his organization was being evaluated by the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation last January. Established on September 4, 1994, Dompet Duafa knew for sure that it would receive the award last July, although the foundation did not officially announce it until the 27th of that month. "At the time, we thought were just part of a survey," said Juwaini, who now works as the rector of the Dompet Dhuafa University.

Ahmad, who is also deputy secretary-general of Zakat World, was asked to represent the organization in Manila on August 31 to accept the award. The process of being pre-selected was a key topic during the interview along with the number of Dompet Dhuafa's breakthrough achievements. Excerpts:

How was Dompet Dhuafa picked for the Ramon Magsaysay Award?

Last January, a team claiming to be part of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in the Philippines came to see us. They came to interview us on our data and our programs. They even visited a number of our projects. Then, in July, we were contacted and informed that we were a candidate for the Ramon Magsaysay Award. We were asked to complete a form with all of our data. The awarding ceremony will take place on August 31.

You never knew they were doing more than research?

No, because they identified themselves as members of the AIM, we assumed they were just carrying out some research. It's not unusual for university students to do this kind of thing. Apparently they were only asking questions to verify our organization and activities. Someone must have referred us before they came here, although I don't know who.

What kind of data did you have to submit?

The organization's profile and to confirm what they knew about us, and update existing information they already had about us because they planned on publishing some kind of book on the award winners.

Who were interviewed at Dompet Dhuafa?

All of us: from the founders to the management, the employees and previous winners. They also visited our programs around Jakarta.

What stood out about Dompet Dhuafa that led it to the award?

They seemed to be interested in three things. Firstly, we were seen as having good initiatives in managing alms. Secondly, they categorized us as an empowering and charitable organization based on religious faith. Thirdly, they cited us as having had impact on lowering poverty. Evidently, we provided about 20 percent towards poverty alleviation.

What are your ongoing programs?

We have three big programs: education, health and economic empowerment. In the field of healthcare, we own a free hospital, 12 major clinics and 51 sub-clinics throughout Indonesia. In education, we have a free school, teacher training all over the country as well teaching methods in school management. In economic empowerment, there are programs in animal husbandry, agriculture, fishery, small businesses, advisory services for disadvantaged villages and micro-finance development. One example is the organized purchase of a paddy field so that farmers can work in those fields and get the full proceeds themselves, instead of having to work for middlemen. We also have a program to mentor those working overseas on how to send their money home so that when they get back, they can resume their business alongside everyone else.

What has made this institution last for more than 20 years?

First, it's people's faith in us and what we do. Our programs are useful and we guarantee accountability. We also get involved on important issues. One example is Siyono's death and the Sarinah bomb incident. We don't look at whether someone is an alleged terrorist or what have you, but if we see anyone in need, he deserves our help. Despite seeking trust, people look out for Dompet Dhuafa and it's always there.

Have you ever been accused of being political?

Of course, and often. Take the case when the PSSI (All-Indonesia Football Association) froze the leagues. We helped good athletes who overnight became unemployed. It was then that we were accused of being political. We had to explain that many of those athletes had to work as drivers of becak (pedicab) and ojek (motorcycle taxi) and turn to other jobs. Yet, they were once champions Indonesia should be proud of. We have remained committed to this for a long time with no concern for politics but tragedies. (*)

Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine