Jakarta, NU Online

The Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia, which until now has not been ended, has had an impact on the sustainability of the community's economy. In fact, the pandemic has contributed to an increase in the poverty rate in this country. The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia KH Ma'ruf Amin (Kiai Ma'ruf) then called on NU to strengthen the people in the economic field.

 

"The impact of Covid-19 has increased poverty, which was originally nine percent, now it has increased to 10 percent. Therefore, we must carry out so-called taqwiyatul ummah (strengthening of the ummah), especially in the economic field and eliminate poverty by empowering the people," the vice president said at the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday Commemoration, which was held by the Da'wah Institute of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (LD PBNU), Tuesday (19/10/2021).

 

For the santri (students), he added, economic development had more opportunity. Because since at the Islamic boarding schools, the santri are taught to deal with muamalah in accordance with sharia.

 

"Now it has been developed and has become a national policy, namely the development of the Islamic economy and finance. Our economy adheres to a dual economic system, namely sharia and conventional. Our finances also adhere to conventional and sharia, dual financial systems. So we have a good chance," he said.

 

The vice president was also happy because in the pesantren, the OPOP movement or One Pesantren One Product has emerged. Now, in pesantren, various activities have begun to be developed.

 

"Both in the financial sector, such as waqf banks initiated by the government and in the Baitul Mal wa Tamwil (integrated independent business centers) as well as those in the real sector. I have seen that many products in several regions have been exported,” said the Vice President.

 

In pesantren, various vocational training centers (BLK) have now been developed with various professions. This will make santri able to master various skills, in addition to being religious experts.

 

Empowering the people, said the Vice President, is a shared task, including NU. Because, Allah has ordered Islam to build the people and prosper the earth. In other words, the people economic empowerment is part of religious orders.

 

"Allah says (Surat Hud: 61) wa ansya'kum minal ardhi wasta'marakum fiha. It is Allah who grew you from the ground and made all of you prosperous," explained Kiai Ma'ruf.

 

He emphasized that in order to prosper the earth, various methods were needed. Among other things, by creating excellent human resources (HR) who have the ability and master science and technology.

 

“Building science and technology among the community is part of the obligation. Because we can prosper the earth. For that reason, varioues efforts are needed. Because concerning worldly matters, the Messenger of Allah has left it to all of us, antum a'lamu bi umuri ddunyakum," the vice president explained.

 

“These are things that need our efforts to develop and innovate technology. This is important for us to develop. I am very proud because higher education, UNUs (Universites of Nahdlatul Ulama) have begun to spread and become a good quality education," he concluded.

 

The Maulid Akbar of Prophet Muhammad was held in a hybrid event. Present at the event were NU leaders and administrators, such as Rais 'Aam PBNU KH Miftachul Akhyar, Secretary General of PBNU H Ahmad Helmy Faishal Zaini, Chairman of LD PBNU KH Agus Salim HS, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque KH Nasaruddin Umar, and Director of the Wahid Foundation Yenny Wahid.

 

Reporter: Aru Lego Triono
 

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq