Speaking during his ministry's national conference in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar encouraged more mosques and Islamic schools to take part in strengthening the national cooperative ecosystem to support economic growth and self-reliance.
He said efforts to empower and guide citizens toward economic independence are important to enable the government to focus tax-based resources on infrastructure development and broader public welfare programs.
Meanwhile, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono stated that his office has agreed to support the establishment of cooperatives at institutions under the supervision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
“Through this MoU, we aim to encourage pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) and mosques to set up cooperatives,” he said, noting that many pesantren across Indonesia already manage modern and competitive cooperatives.
Juliantono added that his ministry has provided capacity-building programs and financial assistance for pesantren-run cooperatives in Java and other regions, adding that these business entities have made significant contributions to local communities.
He further said several cooperatives managed by pesantrens in East Java and West Java have recorded assets and business turnover worth trillions of rupiahs.
According to him, the two ministries will follow up the MoU by organizing technical training for 120 pesantren-run cooperatives in Central Java.
He also said religious higher education institutions will be involved in the Red and White Village Cooperatives program through thematic internship programs as part of the partnership.
“We are optimistic that the synergy between the Cooperatives Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry will deliver tangible benefits for the Muslim community and the nation,” Juliantono said.
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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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