Jakarta, Aug. 16 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to optimizing community funds, particularly waqf (Islamic endowment), as a tool to support national development.

The ministry's Secretary General, Kamaruddin Amin, said in Jakarta on Saturday that waqf should no longer be limited to traditional uses, such as financing the construction of mosques and schools, but should also be directed toward economically productive sectors.

"With modern governance, digitalization, and safe sharia-based investment models, waqf can play a concrete role in improving the welfare of low-income communities," he noted.

He explained that the initiative aligns with the President's directive on accelerating poverty reduc...