Tangerang to get Islamic Center

TANGERANG: The Tangerang regency administration will begin the construction of an Islamic Center complex in Ciakar village, Panongan district, early next month.

The Rp 4.5 billion (US$483,870) project was won by contractor PT Citra Raya.

Rasna Dahlan, secretary of the Tangerang chapter of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), expressed hope on Monday that the facility could become operational by the end of this year.

"The Islamic Center will comprise a mosque and several halls to hold various activities and to accommodate the offices of the Institute of Tilawatil Quran (Koran Reading), Badan Amil Zakat, Infaq and Sodakah (Islamic alms agency) and MUI," he explained.

The facility will also be a center for research on information and communication studies and social and cultural issues as well as education.--JP