RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, declared on Thursday, February 12, 2026, that Indonesia possesses every prerequisite to lead the world’s Islamic economic landscape.

Speaking at the 2026 Metro TV Sharia Economic Forum in Jakarta, the Minister argued that Indonesia’s potential extends far beyond its status as the nation with the largest Muslim population, citing political stability and a moderate, inclusive social foundation as key competitive advantages.

Minister Nasaruddin was quick to decouple Islamic economics from narrow ideological or political agendas, framing it instead as a universal model for justice and ethical finance.

“When we talk about Sharia economics, this is not an ideological issue and is not exclusive to Muslims. This is an economic model with a vision of justice, which is universal in nature,” the Minister emphasized, as cited on the Ministry's official website.

He explained that the system’s core mechanisms, such as mudarabah and musyarakah (profit-and-loss sharing), provide a systemic approach to social equity.

The Minister even referenced global validation of the system, noting that Pope Benedict XVI once suggested the global banking system could learn from Sharia banking to ensure greater stability. “This is a win-win solution. The principle is justice,” he added.

Indonesia currently holds the third-place spot in the global Sharia economic rankings, alongside Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

However, Minister Nasaruddin expressed strong optimism that Indonesia is poised to take the lead. He pointed to Indonesia’s maritime heritage, which has fostered an egalitarian and open culture, as a natural incubator for inclusive economic concepts.

“We should be the pilot project. The largest Muslim population is in Indonesia. The foundation is strong, the culture is moderate, and the society is egalitarian,” he said.

The forum, a collaboration between Metro TV and the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), comes at a time when the private sector is also feeling the momentum. Media Group CEO Mohammad Mirdal Akib noted that Indonesia has maintained its top-three global position for three consecutive years.

“This is the momentum to level up, not just to be strong domestically, but to be globally competitive,” Akib stated.

Closing his presentation, Minister Nasaruddin called for a unified national front to transform this potential into reality. He urged all sectors of society to abandon exclusivity in favor of national progress. “It is time for us to be united. There are no 'others.' We are one nation. Let us make Indonesia the epicentre of the world's Sharia economy,” he concluded. ***