Zakat fund management and exchange in muslim communities of Urban Chiang Mai

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis are to investigate (1) the zakat fund management of the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund in the present, (2) the types of exchange between zakat donors and recipients in urban Chiang Mai Muslim communities, and (3) the differences in zakat administration between the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund and the Council of Chiang Mai Muslim Women. I used a qualitative research methodology for this research. Besides documentary research, I interviewed the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund Committee, zakat donors, zakat recipients, and the Council of Chiang Mai Muslim Women. I also applied the participant observation method by participating in the zakat charity day in AH 1442, zakat distributions, and meetings with the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund Committee. This thesis has two main findings. First, the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund today administrates the zakat fund in modern ways, as illustrated by its, organizational structure, the systematic process of selection, distribution, and follow-up of zakat recipients. The administration of the zakat fund also shows the cooperation between the state and Islamic organizations because the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund is a division of the Chiang Mai Provincial Islamic Council.Second, I found out that the exchange between zakat donors and recipients in urban Chiang Mai Muslim communities can be classified into two types: (1) generalized reciprocity, which shows the act of giving without expecting anything in return as it is regulated by Islamic principles to reinforce relationships among Muslims and between Muslims and God. In this way, community sharing indicates zakat distribution by the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund Committee crosses the Muslim community boundary, which includes all mosques in Chiang Mai and Lamphun; (2) discriminated reciprocity which involves authority differentiation and bureaucracy. It is clear that only Muslims with Thai identification card can access the fund as regulated by the Thai authority. To sum up, the Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund manages zakat differently from direct donations and donations to other Muslim organizations, such as the Council of Chiang Mai Muslim Women. Chiang Mai Central Zakat Fund has developed formal and modern organizational structures and procedures. The target groups are broader and across ethnic communities not specific like those of other Muslim organizations. More importantly, it is under the Provincial Islamic Committee, which is regulated by the state, thus making zakat not only a religious matter but also a state-related matter.