Jakarta, NU Online
Mosques need certificate to improve quality management in providing service to pilgrims. Head of Development and Supervision of Al Ikhlas Mosque in Jatipadang (South Jakarta), M Furqon said mosque committee must understand the aims of ISO standard-based certification. <>

ISO certificate belongs to Al Ikhlas Mosque is given by International Standards Certifications (ISC), Australia.

Performance of board of mosque can be measured and compared with other professional agencies for administrators. The most important thing, ISO certificate will boost of public trust toward the Muslim's house of worhsip that mosque can ben involved in poeple empowerment. Now, some activities are conducted around mosque, like kindergarten, Quran Educational Park, as well as zakat (alms) management institution.

"In a year, Al Ikhlas Mosque gains more than one billion IDR as alms from people who come to our mosque or put their trust to us. All activities and the use of funds are professionally audited," Furqon was quoted by republika.co.id as saying recently.

Secretary General of Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), Imam Addaruqtni agreed on the need of mosque certification in Indonesia. However, he did not recommend ISO as the main standard.

"DMI designs and creates its own certificate," Addaruqtni said.

If ISO certification is costly, DMI offers it free of charge and the best mosque will be awarded. A good mosque is not only clean and magnificent, but also has mission to empower community.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq