INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF ZAKAT IN SULU THE KEY TO POVERTY ALLEVIATION

This study, originally undertaken as master’s thesis in 2016 explores that Islam has brought civilization to Sulu where the Tausug learned the arts of writing, true worship of Allah particularly the science of government. Because of lslam, the Tausug were able to build an institution such as baytal mal, masjid, governance, family system which are relevant to nation building. In this modern time, the same principle that the Tausug should use in the reconstruction of their society. This means institutional approach like the zakat institutionalization should be applied to address the politico-economic problems of Sulu. For the past three decades, Sulu has been facing many challenges and societal divides as can be summarized as follows: Widespread riba both in government and private, Poverty: 70% of the Tausug live below poverty line, weak local government units & law enforcement agency, lack of Islamic program, widespread drug trafficking & crimes, armed conflict, high unemployment rate, weak Islamic institutions like madrasa & masjid, widespread moral decadence, high illiteracy rate, poor health facilities.