Ponorogo, E Java (ANTARA) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla inaugurated the Center of Islamic Economic Studies (CIES) of Darussalam University (UNDA) and new tower of Jami' Mosque in the Darussalam Modern Islamic Boarding School compounds, Gontor, Ponorogo, East Java, Thursday.

Kalla and his entourage, comprising Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara and Chief of the Vice Presidential Secretariat Mohamad Oemar, arrived at the Darussalam University campus at 7:45 a.m. local time aboard a Super Puma helicopter.

From the Darussalam University campus, the vice president, in the company of East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, took land transportation to reach the Darussalam Modern Islamic Boarding School.

At Gontor, Kalla held a get-together with the Islamic boarding school management, including KH. Abdullah Syukri Zarkasyi, KH. Hasan Abdullah Sahal, and KH. Syamsul Hadi Abdan. Members of the wakaf body and heads of institutions at the Islamic boarding school were also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, the vice president, in the company of the leadership of the Islamic boarding school and ranks and files, inaugurated the new tower of Jami' Mosque by pressing a button and signing an inscription.

The vice president later visited the Darussalam University campus to hand over and inaugurate the CIES building. Kalla, on behalf of his family, placed the cornerstone to mark the construction of the CIES building some time ago.

The CIES building will serve as a center of Islamic economic studies, center of studies, and a means to encourage strategic businesses related to the development of the economy and management.

The 1,534-square-meter two-story building was constructed at an estimated cost of Rp11 billion, wholly derived from the Haji Kalla family.

Translator: Louis Rika Stevani/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019