The initiative is aimed at strengthening religious understanding, instilling values of religious tolerance, and bolstering social life in the nation's most remote areas.
“The number of preachers deployed this year has exceeded our target. Out of an initial goal of 1,500, we successfully deployed 2,199 preachers to 3T areas,” the ministry's Director of Islamic Information, Muchlis M. Hanafi, said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
The number of deployed dai has significantly increased every year. In the program's early years, only a dozen preachers participated. Interestingly, some have even chosen to settle permanently in these areas rather than return home.
Hanafi emphasized that preaching should not be confined to urban areas but must reach every segment of society, including those living in the furthest corners of the country.
“We have the responsibility to present a more inclusive preaching that reaches all segments of society,” he emphasized.
According to him, many Muslims in remote areas still struggle with reading the Quran and lack a proper understanding of religious practices. Consequently, the dai deployment program will be further strengthened in the coming years.
Beyond deepening religious knowledge, he noted that preaching plays a vital role in addressing social issues, such as family resilience, poverty, and even food waste culture.
Meanwhile, the ministry's Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment, Waryono Abdul Ghafur, stated that synergy between the government, the National Alms Agency (Baznas), and various zakat (Islamic alms) institutions is being continuously strengthened to empower the community, including supporting the dai deployment.
He asserted that the role of zakat and philanthropic institutions is becoming increasingly vital, as communities in remote areas still require collective support.
Ghafur pointed out that some people in these areas still face limited access to basic services, including healthcare.
This situation, he added, highlights the importance of collaboration between the government, philanthropic institutions, and religious organizations to support community development.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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