Minister Abdul Mu’ti Urges the Establishment of a Halal Ecosystem in Schools

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, has expressed his support for the organization of the Gen Halal Championship. This support is reflected in concrete efforts to build an integrated halal ecosystem within educational institutions.

The competition, which also serves as a halal literacy education initiative for students at Senior High Schools, Vocational High Schools, Islamic Senior High Schools (Madrasah Aliyah), and equivalent levels, was initiated by LPPOM in collaboration with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

The initiative was discussed during a meeting between the MUI Leadership Board and the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Abdul Mu’ti, at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education office, Jakarta, Monday, 10 August 2026, as quoted from mui.or.id.

The Minister further said the championship has significant potential to identify and develop students’ talents and achievements. To strengthen its positive impact on education, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has proposed an additional special category to the competition.

The move is considered strategic so that halal values are not merely treated as contest subjects, but can also encourage the development of a halal culture in schools. “There needs to be an additional competition category for schools that implement an integrated halal lifestyle to support the halal ecosystem,” Prof. Mu’ti said in a statement to MUI Digital in Jakarta, Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

Besides proposing a new category, he also encouraged the competition to be held in tiers, from the provincial level through to the national level. This approach is expected to broaden opportunities for developing high-achieving students across Indonesia.

Meanwhile, MUI Secretary-General, Buya Amirsyah Tambunan, stated that building a halal ecosystem in schools is in line with the ministry’s program to promote healthy lifestyles, including encouraging students to consume good-quality food.

“Lawful and wholesome food are important components in building a healthy and intelligent Indonesian generation,” Buya Amirsyah said.

MUI is also encouraging the strengthening of a halal lifestyle by integrating it into school environments and the daily lives of students throughout Indonesia. This strategic step is considered important for shaping a younger generation that is aware of and proud to uphold halal values from an early age.

MUI Deputy Chairman, KH M. Cholil Nafis, said the implementation of halal principles in schools should not be viewed merely as compliance with religious rules, but should instead be embraced as part of students’ everyday lifestyles.

“Halal is not merely a rule, it is a lifestyle,” he said. Cholil also added that for Generation Z, halal values should be reflected in all aspects of life, including food, beverages, cosmetics, fashion, tourism, finance, as well as the way they conduct transactions and engage on social media.