UNS — The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (DK) for the Financial Services Authority (OJK) of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Wimboh Santoso, alongside the Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, inaugurates Al-Latief Mosque of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNS, Friday (1/10/2021) afternoon.
The inauguration was marked with the inscription signatory by Prof. Wimboh, Prof. Jamal, and the Dean of FEB UNS, Prof. Djoko Suhardjanto
, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the readiness of the Al-Latief Mosque.
Al-Latief Mosque in FEB UNS was originally renovated through OJK, Bank Mandiri, BNI, and BRI donations. The funds donated for the mosque renovation is totaled hundreds of millions of Rupiah.
The inauguration of the FEB UNS new mosque was also attended by Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs UNS Prof. Sajidan, Vice-Rector for Management and Human Resources Affairs UNS Prof. Bandi, and representatives of Bank Mandiri, BNI, BRI, and BSI.
Prof. Jamal, in his speech, considered that Al-Latief Mosque FEB UNS was inaugurated at the right moment and day. This inauguration on 1 October coincides with Kesaktian Pancasila Day.
Therefore, he expects the Mosque to encourage and inspire FEB UNS students to transform the Mosque into a center of excellence.
“I really hope Al-Latief Mosque can be a center of excellence for religious activities in FEB UNS. Thus, students can stay intellectually and religiously healthy. Let’s vying for virtue,” said Prof. Jamal.
Prof. Jamal, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Rector of Indonesian State University (CRISU), also expresses his gratitude to OJK, Bank Mandiri, BNI, and BRI for their generosity in supporting Al-Latief Mosque renovation.
“My gratitude went to Prof. Wimboh, who encourages donation in virtue of mosques development, including Bank Mandiri, BNI, and BRI, and of course BSI later on,” he said.
In line with Prof. Jamal’s statements, Prof. Wimboh, who is a Professor of Risk Management at FEB UNS, expects that the Al-Latief Mosque FEB UNS can become a center of excellence.
Specifically, Prof. Wimboh encourages the new Mosque to be a center for innovation in sharia and Islamic
studies, which are crucial for Indonesia’s Muslim community. The significance of sharia and Islamic studies is mainly because the majority of the Indonesian population is Muslim. Thus the percentage of the community demand on Islamic banking services should be higher.
“Currently, the potential of sharia banking is still small, only 9 percent. We must find the method to increase this percentage. We must expand sharia products and community assets. Hence, later discussion will concern about the innovation to develop this all (sharia banking),” said Prof. Wimboh.
He added that as the Al-Latief Mosque FEB UNS is built from donations from various parties, it should assist those in need, aside from its primary objective to serve as a place of worship.
“Insyaallah, it is in a better condition now and can be beneficial to anyone in need. Not only for prayer, not only to worship but to establish synergy in raising innovation for sharia values,” said Prof. Wimboh.
After the inauguration ceremony, Prof. Wimboh, Prof. Jamal, and Prof. Djoko directly review the existing facilities, architecture, interior, and equipment in the Al-Latief Mosque FEB UNS. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus US
Editor: Dwi Hastuti