VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: The Badan Wakaf Indonesia (BWI) recently welcomed a visit from the Department of Zakat, Waqf, and Baitulmal of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam. The meeting aimed to deepen Brunei's understanding of the mechanisms for managing waqf in Indonesia, with the hope that these insights could be implemented as productive waqf programs in their own country.

Prof. Dr. Kamaruddin Amin, M.A., the Chairman of BWI, elaborated on the organization’s role as an independent authority overseeing national waqf management, directly accountable to the President of the Republic of Indonesia. “BWI functions as both the regulator and protector of waqf nazhir in Indonesia. While we work alongside the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which contributes through regulatory frameworks, our primary focus lies in the development and certification of nazhir,” he stated.

Rapid Growth of Productive Waqf Assets

During the session, Prof. Kamaruddin highlighted the remarkable growth of waqf assets in Indonesia, which span various sectors, including education, social facilities, mosques, and cemeteries. He noted, “Waqf assets in Indonesia are growing at approximately 6% annually and serve diverse functions in accordance with community needs.” Many of these assets are utilized productively to support social and economic programs.

Innovations in Cash Waqf and Cash Waqf Linked Sukuk (CWLS)

BWI also introduced its latest innovation, the Cash Waqf Linked Sukuk (CWLS), which allows individuals to invest in the form of cash waqf. “CWLS is a sharia-compliant investment instrument supported by the government and supervised by the National Sharia Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI),” Prof. Kamaruddin explained. This investment is managed productively through two categories: permanent waqf and temporary waqf, with the proceeds directed towards waqf purposes.

Challenges in Enhancing Waqf Literacy

Despite the advancements, significant challenges remain in enhancing community and nazhir literacy regarding productive waqf, particularly cash waqf. Prof. Kamaruddin revealed, “Waqf literacy in Indonesia is still relatively low, standing at only 0.43%. Our greatest challenge is to improve the literacy and competency of nazhir to ensure optimal management of productive waqf.”

In-Depth Discussions with Brunei Representatives

During the question-and-answer session, Brunei representatives expressed their keen interest in learning more about cash waqf management and CWLS in Indonesia. They noted that cash waqf is still relatively new in Brunei and sought to understand how BWI builds public trust and ensures the sustainability of waqf initiatives.

BWI also outlined the regulations governing the development of nazhir, emphasizing the need for certification and stringent oversight. “Nazhir must possess a robust institutional framework, certification, and a minimum of three years of experience in religious matters,” Prof. Kamaruddin added. He stressed the importance of regulations to prevent money laundering in waqf management.

Prospects for Waqf Development in Brunei

This visit is anticipated to serve as an initial step in strengthening ties between Indonesia and Brunei in the realm of waqf, particularly in the development of productive waqf initiatives. “Through the knowledge gained during this visit, we hope that Brunei can implement more advanced waqf management for the social and economic benefit of its communities,” stated Prof. Kamaruddin.

BWI is optimistic that this collaboration will yield significant benefits for both countries, enhancing the positive impact of waqf.

Source: bwi.go.id.

Perpusnas held a socialization of the Culture of Reading Love in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra on Saturday October 26th 2024. (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Deli Serdang : Finland, Sweden, and also East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea are countries with a high reading culture. With this capital, science and technology will be easy to master.

"There is no developed country in the world without the presence of people who have a culture of reading and high literacy," explained Deputy for Library Resource Development Adin Bondar, starting the talk on Socialization of the Culture of Reading Love in Deli Serdang Regency, Saturday (26/10/2024).

Human knowledge is always developing and is directly proportional to the formation of civilization that occurs. One of the facilities that guarantees the community's need for scientific development is the library.

"Therefore, it is correct to say that libraries are a symbol of civilization and also an instrument of non-formal education to encourage people to learn throughout their lives," added Adin.

The member of Commission X DPR RI, Sofyan Tan, thanked the member of Commission He also believes that in the commanding hands of President Prabowo Subianto, the literacy of Indonesian society will continue to improve.

"He is proven to have concern and closeness to books and the world of literacy," said Tan.

North Sumatra Province, as stated by the Head of the North Sumatra Library and Archives Service, Dwi Endah Purwanti, has a Reading Love Level (TGM) score above the average National TGM score. This is proof of the regional government's seriousness in encouraging a culture of reading in society.

"We continue to collaborate with community reading parks, reading houses, reading corners and literacy motors," explained Endah.

Reading culture and a love of reading are two different levels. In Indonesia, it must be admitted that we are still at the level of efforts to increase the love of reading. Meanwhile, in developed countries they are already at the level of cultivating a love of reading.

“Then, how do you get people to like reading? "Yes, by getting into the habit of reading regularly," concluded literacy activist Ismail Pong.

On the sidelines of the activity, the National Library also symbolically handed over quality reading material assistance to the Deli Serdang Regency government. The assistance provided was in the form of 1,000 copies of reading books along with display shelves//VOI

Illustration - A processed meat dish in the form of goat satay. ANTARA/Nanien Yuniar/am.

Indonesian women's singles player Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari competes in the semifinal round of the Indonesia International Challenge 2024 in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday (10/26/2024). ANTARA/HO-PP PBSI/aa.