Furthermore, the ministry will facilitate capacity building for preachers of other religions, he noted in a press statement here on Monday.
The Muslim preacher certification program will be implemented to boost the capacity of some 50 thousand religious instructors, or preachers, and 10 thousand marriage registrars under the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance.
In response to extensive criticism arising over the ministry's preacher certification program, Amin clarified that the preacher certification program would not be like a professional certification.
"This certification of preachers is not a professional certification like the university lecturer and teacher certifications. Those for teachers and lecturers are professional certifications, so if they are already certified, they must be paid in accordance with the set standards," he expounded.
The capacity building program focuses on enhancing public services in terms of managing zakat and waqf as well as promoting religious moderation, he stated.
The program’s participants will receive certificates.
Earlier, Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas was vocal in expressing his criticism to the government's plan to run the preacher certification program.
"I, Anwar Abbas, also the secretary general of MUI, personally hereby firmly and strongly reject the program of preacher and lecturer certification to be implemented by the Ministry of Religious Affairs that will involve the MUI," he noted, adding that he would forego his MUI post if the government were to run the program. Related news: COVID-19 does not halt process of halal certification: MUI
Related news: Jokowi meets ulema representatives of Bogor
Translator: Anom P, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
