RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is intensifying efforts to strengthen Islamic financial literacy and inclusion through cross-sector collaboration, particularly by linking finance with grassroots economic activities. The initiative was highlighted during the closing of the 2026 Sharia Financial Ramadan Festival (GERAK Syariah), organized by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Jakarta .

According to a statement received Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono praised OJK for organizing the event, calling it a strategic momentum to advance Islamic finance. He emphasized that sustained collaboration is essential to building a stronger and more inclusive financial ecosystem.

“Each year shows significant improvement in GERAK Syariah activities. MES will continue to support this program and hopes to be more actively involved in the future,” Ferry said during the closing ceremony, Thursday April 2, 2026.

The event brought together key national stakeholders, including Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar and OJK Chairperson, Friderica Widyasari Dewi. Their presence underscored the importance of institutional synergy in driving Islamic financial development.

Ferry stressed that strengthening Islamic finance cannot be separated from the real sector, particularly through cooperatives such as Islamic boarding school cooperatives and village-based institutions. These entities are considered strategic platforms to expand financial access at the grassroots level.

“Islamic financial development must grow alongside real economic activities such as MSMEs, the halal industry, and productive enterprises. In this context, village cooperatives have strong potential as centers of community-based economic empowerment,” he said.

He noted that Indonesia has entered a second phase of Islamic economic development focused on expanding market share, shifting from awareness to active participation. “Moving forward, we must continue working together to strengthen a more inclusive Islamic economic system, including expanding into the real sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, OJK highlighted that Islamic financial inclusion remains relatively low despite steady growth, with literacy seen as a key driver for improvement. “Synergy and collaboration are key to improving Islamic financial literacy and inclusion, and through GERAK Syariah 2026 we have reached a higher level,” OJK Executive Head, Dicky Kartikoyono conveyed.