“It is evident that we have been working to gradually rehabilitate 650 madrasahs (Islamic schools), and that learning and teaching activities have partially resumed,” he said in a statement cited in Jakarta on Thursday.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Religious Affairs shares responsibility for supporting the recovery of religious schools and houses of worship damaged by deadly floods and landslides in late November 2025.
The ministry recorded damage to 773 madrasahs, 1,173 pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools), 1,593 houses of worship, and 102 Religious Affairs Offices (KUAs).
Umar said the most severely affected facilities included 123 madrasahs, with 13 requiring relocation, 107 pesantrens, 16 mosques, 24 churches, and one KUA.
To support recovery efforts, the ministry has proposed allocating Rp85.5 billion (US$5 million) for severely damaged madrasahs, Rp74.1 billion (US$4.4 million) for heavily affected pesantrens, Rp20 billion (US$1.1 million) for damaged houses of worship, and Rp3 billion (US$178,000) for the affected KUA.
“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Public Works on the renovation and reconstruction of madrasah buildings,” the minister added.
Umar also reported that at least 1,066 pesantrens have resumed operations, along with 1,553 houses of worship and 101 KUAs.
“The government has deployed heavy machinery and equipment, and we are working tirelessly to achieve this significant progress. In fact, we have re-equipped affected mosques with pulpits, sound systems, electricity, and other essential facilities,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to members of the public for their active role in supporting the government’s disaster recovery efforts in the three affected provinces.
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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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