Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has appealed to Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) to be open to partnering with several parties for driving economic development in keeping with its function as the center for community empowerment.

"There must be economic collaboration everywhere, especially in Islamic boarding schools. Pesantren must collaborate with many parties," Amin emphasized in a statement received in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Amin believes that as an educational institution, pesantren cannot singlehandedly empower the surrounding community, especially in the economic sector.

Pesantren should be able to collaborate with various parties to relentlessly contribute to improvement of the national economy.

"Of course, it is impossible for the pesantren to stand alone, and it must forge collaboration and partnership," he affirmed.

Currently, pesantren’s role continues to develop, the vice president remarked.

Apart from being a hub for education and a center for da'wah, Islamic boarding schools also play a role as a center for empowering residents around them, especially for economic empowerment.

The vice president is also optimistic that the number of pesantren, currently reaching 28,194 in various regions, would be able to optimize their roles by developing their potential through appropriate coaching and collaboration.

"According to data, 44.2 percent, or around 12,469 Islamic boarding schools, have the potential for economic development. That is since they have not been properly nurtured, but this is a huge figure. Now, how can the potential be tapped into through collaboration," he stated.

To support this role, the government has also offered various policies and facilities that encourage sharia-based economic development at Islamic boarding schools, including through establishment of the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS) and sharia financial services.

"The government provides various facilities, ranging from super or ultra-micro, micro, small to large, with the super or ultra-micro being the Micro Waqf Bank. Thereafter, through the instrument of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, there is a Management Institution of Revolving Fund (LPDB), with a sharia scheme, including BMT (Baitul Maal wa Tamwil)," he remarked. Related news: Islamic boarding schools expected to be drivers of shariah economy
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Translator: Fransiska Ninditya, Azis K
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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