The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (DK) of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Wimboh Santoso, the Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNS, Prof. Djoko Suhardjanto signed an inscription to mark the inauguration of Al-Latief Mosque FEB UNS, Friday (1/10/2021).

The inauguration ceremony by Prof. Jamal, Prof. Wimboh, and Prof. Djoko (left to right)

During the inauguration of the new Mosque, Prof. Wimboh, Prof. Jamal, and Prof. Djoko also did the ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the readiness Al-Latief Mosque as a special place of worship and other supporting activities to improve the quality of worship and also the community welfare.

The Dean of FEB UNS, in his report, states that the Al-Latief Mosque was previously a prayer room (mushola). A critical renovation of the building is essential to provide a more comfortable prayer.

The Dean also thanked Bank Mandiri, Bank BRI, Bank BNI, and OJK for providing assistance in the Al-Latief Mosque renovation. Thus, establishing a comfortable praying site for worshipers in carrying out prayer and other activities.

“The design of our Mosque follows the philosophy of sharia, tarekat (order), hakikat (nature), and makrifat (knowledge). The pillars are ‘gilig (round in shape)’ as a symbol of ‘manembah kepada Gusti‘ (worshiping the God almighty),” he said.

Prof. Wimboh delivers inauguration speech

The Dean has also appointed a young lecturer from FEB UNS, Ibrahim Fatwa Wijaya, Ph.D., as the Takmir (manager) of the Al-Latief Mosque to maintain the Mosque further. The new Takmir is expected to transform the Mosque into a center of excellence. Prof. Djoko also wishes for more religious activities in the Mosque such as Islamic economic studies and Islamic history for the greater benefit of the community and contribute to UNS achievement.

Similarly, Prof. Wimboh emphasized that a mosque is not only a worship place but also a center for knowledge development, which can be beneficial to the community. There must be studies, innovations in the development of Shariah values.

“Alhamdulillah, the Al-Latief Mosque, which was previously a mushola, is now better, more comfortable, and beneficial for both of FEB academic community and the general community. The Al-Latief Mosque can be a center of excellence. Not only for prayer, not only to worship but to establish synergy in raising innovation for sharia values,” said Prof. Wimboh.

Reviewing the Mosque architecture and facilities

According to Prof. Wimboh, the significance of sharia and Islamic studies is mainly because the majority of the Indonesian population is Muslim. Therefore, increasing the percentage of community members who wish to enjoy Islamic banking products.

“The potential for Sharia banking is still very small, with only 9 percent. Now, how can we increase that portion? Shariah products must be propagated. The community sharia assets must also be propagated. Mosque administrators should set in discussions regarding the innovations on how to develop the Mosque,” said Prof. Wimboh.

After the inauguration, Prof. Wimboh, Prof. Jamal, and Prof. Djoko, alongside a number of invited guests, were reviewing the architecture and facilities at Al-Latief Feb UNS Mosque. (Humas FEB)