Central Java leads Indonesia in waqf land certification

Central Java Province has become the region with the highest achievement in waqf land certification in Indonesia, with around 73 percent, or 73,864 waqf land plots, now certified. Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid said in Semarang on Tuesday that this achievement is the result of accelerated certification over the past few years. “Nationally, Central Java’s performance is above the national average, at 73 percent. 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 conveyed this during the handover of 243 waqf land certificates to 243 nadzir (waqf asset managers) across Central Java at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building in Semarang. Nevertheless, he revealed that there are still around 27,000 mosques, prayer rooms, and other places of worship in Central Java that remain uncertified. Therefore, the ATR/BPN Ministry is targeting a minimum of 95 percent waqf land certification in Central Java within the next three years. Nusron explained several obstacles still encountered, including cases where the wakif (the person who endowed the property) has passed away, unclear land boundaries, and the absence of officially registered nadzir. In addition, the government is partnering with the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), the Indonesian Waqf Board, religious organisations, and universities to accelerate the data collection and certification of waqf assets. Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen added that the acceleration of waqf land certification in the region has been carried out together with the community and various religious institutions over recent years. “We invite mosque administrators, foundation administrators, Islamic boarding schools, madrasah diniyah, and others to explain the importance of endowing or certifying,” said Gus Yasin, the deputy governor’s familiar nickname. “We embrace everyone together, we embrace DMI, we embrace the Waqf Board and others to socialise the importance of waqf land certification, so that there are no problems,” he said. Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi said that the Islamic New Year momentum serves as a reminder to continue strengthening unity and delivering the best services to the community. “The hijrah we undertake is how to make Central Java harmonious, united, not quarrelsome, not divided, in facing whatever is happening now,” he said. On that occasion, in addition to the handover of waqf land certificates, educational assistance was also provided to orphans and basic food aid to orphanages.