Jakarta, NU Online
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially launched the Movement of Islamic Economics (GRES). The declaration was conducted in the field of National Monument (Monas), Sunday (17/11).<>

In his speech, the President wants to make Indonesia as a world center of Islamic finance.

According to him, as the largest Muslim country in the world with a rising number of middle class societies, Indonesia has the potential to be a world center for Islamic economy.

He believed that education and socialization as well as the potential use of Islamic finance in the country will increase even more in the future.

"We want to make our country as a world center of Islamic finance integrated with the international system based on sharia. This is the essence of Islam as rahmatan lil alamin (blessing for the universe)," he said as quoted by republika.co.id.

He considered the declaration of "GRES" is a new history on national agenda. He expected, by the launching, Indonesian people can be more actively involved in the development of Islamic economics.

The event also attended by FSA Chairman, the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Governor of Bank Indonesia, as well as KIB II Cabinet members.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq