Central Java leads Indonesia in waqf land certification
Semarang (ANTARA) - Central Java province has become the region with the highest achievement in waqf land certification in Indonesia, with approximately 73 per cent, or 73,864 plots of waqf land, having been certified.
The Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, stated in Semarang on Tuesday that this achievement is the result of accelerated certification efforts carried out over the last few years.
“Nationally, Central Java’s achievement is above the national average, at 73 per cent. This is an extraordinary leap, especially over the last three years. The awareness of the people of Central Java to certify places of worship is remarkable,” he said.
Nusron made these remarks during an event for the handover of 243 waqf land certificates to 243 trustees (nadzir) from across Central Java at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building, Semarang.
Nevertheless, he revealed that there are still approximately 27,000 mosques, prayer rooms (mushala), and other places of worship in Central Java that have not yet been certified.
Consequently, the Ministry of ATR/BPN aims to ensure that the waqf land certification achievement in Central Java reaches at least 95 per cent within the next three years.
Nusron explained several obstacles that are still being encountered, including cases where the waqif (the person donating the property) has passed away, unclear land boundaries, and the lack of officially registered trustees.
Furthermore, the government is collaborating with the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), the Indonesian Waqf Board, religious organisations, and universities to accelerate the data collection and certification of waqf assets.
The Deputy Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin Maimoen, added that the acceleration of waqf land certification in his region has been conducted alongside the community and various religious institutions over the past few years.
“We are inviting mosque administrators, foundation managers, Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren), madrasah diniyah, and others to explain the importance of waqf or certification,” said Gus Yasin, the Deputy Governor’s familiar moniker.
“We are working together, engaging the DMI, the Waqf Board, and others to socialise the importance of waqf land certification, so that no legal issues arise,” he said.
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, stated that the momentum of the Islamic New Year serves as a reminder to continue strengthening unity and providing the best services to the community.
“The ‘Hijrah’ (migration/transformation) we undertake is how we create a Central Java that is harmonious, united, and not divided, in order to face whatever challenges may arise,” he said.
On this occasion, in addition to the handover of waqf land certificates, educational assistance was also provided to orphans, along with food aid for orphanages.