Indonesia, Malaysia Empower Communities Through Mosque Cooperatives

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Zakat Agency (Baznas) and Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (Angkasa) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement to strengthen community economic empowerment through the development of mosque-based cooperatives.

Baznas Deputy Chairman Mokhamad Mahdum described the partnership as a strategic step to optimize the role of mosques as centers of community economic empowerment, integrated with the national zakat management system.

“The cooperation will be implemented through the Mosque Cooperative program. For mosques that do not yet have cooperatives, we will assist in establishing them,” Mahdum said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Friday, February 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that mosques hold significant potential as hubs of community economic activity. “A mosque is not only a place of worship but also a center for social and economic life. We must not allow excessive conservatism to prevent us from realizing greater benefits,” he added.

Mahdum expressed hope that the collaboration would enhance the capacity of mosque cooperatives in Indonesia, both in governance and business scale.

Angkasa President Abdul Fattah Abdullah said the initiative aims to promote and develop mosque-based cooperatives as instruments for strengthening community economies. 

He noted that cooperative membership would include mosque congregants and surrounding communities, including non-Muslims, a concept aligned with the Islamic principle of rahmatan lil ‘alamin (a blessing for all worlds).

“We want to build a global network of mosques through economic activities, which in the future could become the largest consortium of cooperatives in the world,” Abdul Fattah said.

He further emphasized that mosques should once again serve as centers of excellence, as they did during the time of Prophet Muhammad, functioning as hubs of worship, education, economic activity, and community problem-solving. 

“Mosque cooperatives can be an important instrument to revive that role,” he remarked. ***