Religious Affairs Minister Rejects Changing of Ministry's Name
22 September 2014 11:42 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said that he disagreed with the plan to change the name of the Ministry of Religious Affairs into the Ministry of Hajj, Zakat (religious tithes) and Waqaf (property donations).
According to Lukman, the change to the name will only restrict the duties and obligations of the ministry.
"The ministry should not be restricted to only manage Hajj, Zakat and Waqaf matters alone. I think, that’s important to bear in mind," Lukman said during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, Central Jakarta, Sunday, September 21, 2014.
Lukman also admitted that he did not know about the issue of changing the name of the Ministry of Religious Affairs into the Ministry of Hajj, Zakat and Waqaf.
"I’m very convinced that there will be no change to it (the name)," he added.
Lukman added changing the name of the Religious Affairs Ministry is not the right move the Ministry is tasked to protect and serve all religious communities in Indonesia.
"In any case, the Ministry of Religious Affairs must not be narrowed to only managing duties and obligations related to Hajj, endowments, and charity affairs alone," he said.
Previously, replacement of the Ministry of Religious Affairs into the Ministry of Hajj, Zakat and Waqaf was much talked about.
However, President elect Joko Widodo denied the issue.
NURIMAN JAYABUANA