I hope that through the BMKT`s broad networks, the government and the BMKT could work closely to promote the living standard of its members.
Bekasi (ANTARA News) - Vice President (VP) Boediono has expressed hope that the Council of the National Forum for Islamic Study Groups (BKMT) would cooperate with the government in making poverty eradication programs a success.

"I hope that through the BMKT`s broad networks, the government and the BMKT could work closely to promote the living standard of its members," Boediono said when opening an international seminar to mark the 30th anniversary of the council at As Syafi`iyah Islamic university in Bekasi, West Java, on Sunday.

BKMT is a non-governmental organization of Islamic study circles with mostly female members. It has millions of members throughout Indonesia.

According to the vice president, majelis taklim (Islamic study groups) could encourage people to become aware of the need to form physically and spiritually prosperous families. As the smallest social units, families were the main target of poverty eradication programs.

He said the poverty eradication programs would work more effectively if there was synergy with various social groups including the BKMT.

What was more, majelis taklim had now been able to serve as a means of developing their members` economy by developing cooperatives to promote their living standard.

Such an effort must be continued and intensified to ensure that poverty eradication programs would run faster than expected, he said.

"The government will not be able to carry out the mandate without public support including that from majelis taklim," he said.

On the occasion, the vice president also praised the BMKT for its role in educating its members through propagation (dakwah) approaches.

Also present at the function were West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and rector of As Syafi`iyah Islamic university Tutty Alawiyah.

The international seminar themed "Islam and Global Challenges" brought together around 2,300 MKMT figures from 31 of the country`s 33 provinces. (S012)


(ANTARA)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2011