Strengthen Community Economy, DSN MUI Proposes Sharia Danantara Formation

The Sharia Supervisory Board of the Indonesian Ulema Council (DSN MUI) is advocating for the creation of a new strategic entity called Danantara Syariah. This initiative aims to accelerate the economic development of the Muslim community within the real sector.

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We have not maximized the economy. We must be able to land Islamic finance into the real sector of the community. This, I think, is what we are all thinking about. We must push for Danantara Syariah.

Cholil Nafis, Chairman of the DSN MUI Executive Board, expressed concern that the development of Islamic economics has not yet maximally touched the real sector of the community. "We have not maximized the economy. We must be able to land Islamic finance into the real sector of the community. This, I think, is what we are all thinking about. We must push for Danantara Syariah," Nafis stated during a national gathering in Jakarta.

Nafis emphasized that the proposal for Danantara Syariah is not a short-term plan. It will be a key discussion point at the Indonesian Islamic Congress (KUII), scheduled from July 24-26, 2026. "This will be discussed at the KUII on July 24-26 as the determination of Muslims to advance the community by implementing our teachings in economic practice," he said.

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This will be discussed at the KUII on July 24-26 as the determination of Muslims to advance the community by implementing our teachings in economic practice.

He further explained that DSN MUI's movement must maintain a balance between innovation and Islamic law. "Islamic economics, we are pro-wealth, but not deviating from Sharia. If it's just economics (without Sharia), it's capitalist. If it's just Sharia (without economic growth), it becomes just a religious study," he noted. The role of the Sharia Supervisory Board (DPS) in financial institutions is to ensure economic growth through innovation while ensuring all contracts and operations adhere to Sharia principles.

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Islamic economics, we are pro-wealth, but not deviating from Sharia. If it's just economics (without Sharia), it's capitalist. If it's just Sharia (without economic growth), it becomes just a religious study.

Nafis also appreciated the ongoing cooperation between DSN MUI and the National Zakat Agency (Baznas). He reminded attendees that zakat differs from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with zakat being an obligation to Allah. Through synergy in Sharia compliance supervision and aggressive zakat management, he hopes zakat funds will be distributed equitably to boost public purchasing power, enabling recipients (mustahik) to become givers (muzaki).

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We hope the cooperation between DSN MUI and Baznas becomes an instrument of welfare for the community so that mustahik can become muzaki.