REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Gerakan Ekonomi Syariah (GRES!) or Movement of Sharia Compliant Economy expected to be a momentum to raise government support to Islamic economics and sharia compliant business.
If at all ministries support GRASS!, the size of Indonesia's sharia industry will be greater than Malaysia.
The launch of GRES! will be conducted by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) in Monas Square on Sunday (17/11).
"Launching of GRES! would be a momentum for developing Islamic economies with a more massive movement in all lines of industry," Corporate Secretary of PT Bank BRISyariah, Lukita T Prakasa said to ROL, Thursday (14/11).
Lukita said so far consumers were familiar with sharia economy limited on its banking products so it just simply arranged and managed by Bank Indonesia.
Though the real economy was not confined to Islamic banking industry only but there is Takaful (sharia-compliant insurances), sharia-based cooperatives, sharia-compliant hotels, amil zakat institutions and micro financing institution Baitul Mal wa Tanwiil (BMT).
"So, with the GRES!, Islamic finance is expected to gain more attention from regulators such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Cooperatives and other ministries," Lukita added.
The launch of GRES! coincided with the 5th birthday (milad) of BRISyariah.
"On that day, we will introduce GRES! for all employees," he said.
BRISyariah also supported program Program Sejuta Berdaya (Empowering a Million Program) to provide financial assistance of Qardhul Hasan of Rp300 million for individual and Rp13,9 billion for microfinance.
President Director of PT Bank Mega Syariah, Benny Witjaksono called GRESS! is a great hope for sharia-compliant industry.
"All sharia industry associations will join and support GRES!," he said.
Executive Director of the Communication Center of Islamic Economics (PKES) Ismi Kushartanto said GRES! is to make sharia business a lifestyle for society.
The approach will be made from top to bottom (top-down). According to him, if the leader, in this case the President, is involved then it will have a direct impact to development of Islamic economics.
Similar support delivered by Chairman of Indonesia's BMT Association (Asbindo), Aries Mufti.
"If the movement is performed together and work in synergy, then the impact will be broader," Aries said some time ago.
An Islamic economic observer, Agustianto said factors, to determine the level of public understanding of this sector, should be created so ensure smooth practices on it.
Therefore, he said, Muslims should understand well that Islamic finance can be practiced in real life.
"All the economic teachings of Islam should be actualized in life, both in the field of microeconomics and macroeconomics," Agustianto said.
According to him, if Muslims understand the concept of Islamic economics, so the rise of the industry and ummah civilization will be emerged.
Ed: Nidia Zuraya
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