Islamic Economy Must Not Stop at Speeches and Documents

Islamic economics and finance are not merely a chapter in planning documents. They represent a noble path that unites piety, justice, and progress in a single breath, an endeavour of civilisation that speaks not only of numbers but also of meaning.

We have placed them in an honoured space. They are discussed in strategic forums, quoted in state addresses, and elevated as part of the grand vision of development.

However, they are not always given the opportunity to descend further, to the markets, the fields, the small shops in village corners, where the true pulse of the people’s economy beats.

On paper, Islamic economics appears convincing. It comes with a complete concept, noble values, and a clear direction. But in practice, it often stalls at the threshold of policy, as if stopping before truly touching reality.

This is where we see an old pattern repeating. Grand ideas are born with cheers, then slowly settle into beautiful paragraphs in official documents. They are pleasant to read, often quoted, but have not fully transformed into the lived experiences of society.

Yet, Islamic economics has been positioned from the start as the embodiment of the values and dignity we collectively believe in. It should not stop as discourse but manifest as a real pulse, felt in markets, fields, and the balance sheets of citizens’ businesses.

Today, Islamic economics no longer stands as an alternative discourse but has become part of the mainstream of national development. It is present in the RPJPN 2025–2045, reaffirmed in the RPJMN 2025–2029, and positioned alongside digital, green, and blue economies as a new source of growth. In other words, it is no longer a choice but a direction, even the mainstream current.

The direction and mainstream current of development may be clear, but without an operational foundation, it can easily drift. Development always requires concrete bridges between vision and daily actions. Here, Islamic economics begins to speak the language of development: the language of numbers, achievements, and impacts. Sulawesi Selatan occupies an interesting position on this map.

It possesses undeniable social strengths: a religious society, a living culture of mutual cooperation, and a vast network of small business actors. On the other hand, it also has a strong real economic base, namely agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and inter-regional trade.