"I give my high appreciation to UICCI foundation which is able to build Islamic boarding schools not only in Indonesia but also in a number of countries," the social affairs minister said in his opening address.
Salim Segaf said the UICCI foundation has built the Islamic boarding schools in its effort to improve Islamic education in Indonesia.
"The existence of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia is intended for the students to acquire high quality education and to revive Islam in an overall manner," Salim Segaf said.
The minister admitted that he was interested in the system of Islamic boarding schools to improve well-mannered behaviors and noble characters of the students.
"I`m so glad how the children are taught to have good morals to build the national character," he said.
According to the minister, the people of Indonesia have the character and identity of helping each other in a difficult situation, or when a natural disaster struck.
He said that it was necessary for other institutions like UICCI foundation to synergize with other foundations because the government would support such an effort.
UICCI foundation has so far opened around 5,000 Islamic boarding schools in more than 100 countries with so-called Turki Usamani concept.
Established in Indonesia in 2005, the UICCI foundation has had 8 branches, respectively four in Jakarta, two in Aceh, one in Yogyakarta, and one in Kalimantan.
(Uu.O001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
