To pay Zakat (alms) is an obligation for a Muslim. However, this religious obligation cannot
encourage Muslims in Indonesia to pay Zakat. In fact, in several cities, some Zakat organizations are
established to collect the zakat. Some of them is the BAZNAS which is spread in most cities in
Indonesia. In fact, this organization is a semi-government because there are some collaborations
between the BAZNAS and local government in most regions. This collaboration indicates also that it
tries to get benefit from the modern and established government structure. This article aims to know
the BAZNAS negoitation with modernity, specifically it wants to deal with the BAZNAS zakat
socialization. Using a case study, this article finds that the zakat organization like the BAZNAS
Kepulauan Meranti Indonesia deals with a complicated negoitation with modernity through its zakat
socialization. In fact, there is a religious understanding among Muslims there that to pay zakat is an
obligation but it cannot deal with their religious awareness to pay zakat. This article identifies that
disseminating the zakat payment obligation is a never ending project. The BAZNAS improves
Muslim understanding about Zakat through socialization. Some socialization activities done are
using modern instruments but some are not.
Keywords : Zakat, BAZNAS (National Zakat Collection Agency), Socialization