Let's Bring Great Maslahat To The People, Jokowi Asks Mosques To Be Professionally Managed

Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered his remarks at the opening of the 2023 BKM National Working Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (8/11/2023). (ANTARA/Mentari Dwi Gayati)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo hopes that mosques will be managed professionally so that they can bring great benefits to the people with the support of the Mosque Welfare Agency (BKM). "The potential benefits of this BKM are very large for the people, for the nation, and we hope that through the role of BKM, we hope that these houses of worship can be managed in a professional, moderate, and massive manner for the people," said Jokowi at the opening of the 2023 BKM National Working Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, November 8. The President appreciated the role of Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in activating the BKM which was formed in 1964. "It's been a long time. Two weeks ago the Minister whispered to me. Sir, this is a BKM. We have to reactivate it like the last '60s. I said, 'Ready, Mr. Minister'. If there is a regulation that is needed, we will prepare it," he said. BKM currently includes administrators from more than 17,600 mosques spread across all corners of the country. The President said that with members scattered throughout the country, BKM is expected to be able to make the mosque a place of worship as well as a center for the development of the people and the center for the progress of the nation.

The President also wants BKM administrators at the central and regional levels to work together to protect the mosque from the influence of intolerance, extremism, and divisive politics. "Maintaining the mosque from divisive politicization, which does not unite us, does not make us harmonious," he said.