RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, urged Indonesia to take a global leadership role in Islamic finance development. He delivered the statement during the inauguration and national working meeting of the Islamic Economic Society (MES) in Jakarta on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

He also said Indonesia should transform into a major producer of Islamic economic systems, science, and technology. He stressed that Indonesia should no longer remain a passive consumer following Middle Eastern developments.

The Minister conveyed Indonesia offers a more conducive environment for independent and genuine intellectual development than many Muslim-majority countries. According to him, Indonesia’s stability provides strong potential for advancing global Islamic economic thought.

He delivered the remarks at The Tribrata Convention Center in Jakarta during the MES national gathering. The event also brought together Islamic finance experts, cabinet ministers, and national institutional leaders.

Nasaruddin encouraged newly inaugurated MES leaders to align their programs with Indonesia’s national economic priorities. He highlighted downstream industries, microeconomics, and people-centered development programs promoted by President Prabowo Subianto.

He said MES programs strongly align with the government’s economic empowerment and welfare improvement agenda. The organization is expected to strengthen real-sector economic development benefiting lower-income communities.

“Now is the time for us to make more productive contributions for global society. We should no longer wait for developments coming from the Middle East. Indonesia is the most conducive region for genuine and clear thinking because no conflicts surround us,” he said.

In addition, Nasaruddin also expressed optimism about Indonesia’s Islamic economic future under MES’ new leadership structure. He said collaboration between MES and the Islamic Economists Association could strengthen national economic independence.

The event was attended by Indonesia’s 13th Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Islamic finance leaders, ministers, and cabinet officials. The MES continues supporting Islamic economic literacy and strengthening Indonesia’s sharia-based economic ecosystem.