North Jakarta City Administration: Regional Development Must Be Accompanied by Human Resource Development

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The North Jakarta Administrative City Government said regional development must be accompanied by improvements in human resources so that the quality of life for local residents can improve.

The statement was made by North Jakarta Deputy Mayor Fredy Setiawan at the inauguration of the eighth Tamhidul Muballighah cohort and child preachers at the Jakarta Islamic Centre Grand Mosque in Tugu Utara, Koja, North Jakarta.

“Regional development must go hand in hand with improvements in the quality of human resources and the spiritual guidance of the community,” Fredy said at the mosque.

He said development could not rely solely on infrastructure, but had to be balanced with character-building and the introduction of religious values from an early age.

He also outlined three important messages for the participants. First, Islamic preaching should be delivered in a calm and courteous manner to strengthen unity in the community.

“To my young preachers, keep learning and be devoted to your parents and teachers. Put noble character into practice through honesty, keeping the environment clean and embracing the spirit of gotong royong [mutual cooperation],” Fredy said.

Meanwhile, Mutiara Al-A’la Foundation chair Ummul Barqi said the eighth Tamhidul Muballighah programme and the child preachers’ initiative were the result of collaboration among Al-A’la study groups in three districts – Tanjung Priok, Koja and Cilincing – with support from the Jakarta Islamic Studies and Development Centre (PPIJ).

She said the inauguration was held alongside a mass religious sermon themed “Educating with Love, Nurturing with Knowledge and Inspiring through Example”.

“We are grateful that 43 participants in the eighth Tamhidul Muballighah training programme have graduated,” Barqi said.

She said the programme equipped participants with public-speaking skills, persuasive rhetoric and an understanding of congregation psychology.

The training is expected to improve their ability to communicate religious messages effectively and in ways suited to the community.

“Raising children should follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, putting love first and ensuring parents set an example in worship and social conduct. We want to nurture a generation of preachers with noble character who can serve as role models in their communities,” Barqi said.